Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and Bannu police have killed five suspected terrorists during a joint intelligence-based operation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district, officials said on Friday.
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According to a CTD statement, the operation was carried out in the Gulbahar area within the limits of Hawed Police Station after authorities received credible intelligence about the presence of suspected militants. The slain individuals were identified by the authorities as members of “Fitna-al-Khawarij”, a term used by the state for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
The CTD said the operation was conducted through coordinated planning aimed at restricting the movement of the suspected terrorists. During the raid, militants allegedly opened fire on the CTD’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team and local police personnel, prompting security forces to retaliate.
The exchange of fire continued for around 40 minutes before law enforcement personnel launched a search and clearance operation. Five suspected terrorists were killed, while several others were reportedly arrested. Authorities said efforts were ongoing to trace and apprehend those who managed to escape.
Security forces recovered a significant quantity of weapons and ammunition from the suspects, including five Kalashnikov rifles, 10 magazines, five bandoliers, two hand grenades and other ammunition. The recovered material has been taken for forensic examination and further investigation.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed and CTD officials praised the security personnel involved in the operation. The provincial police chief said intelligence-based operations against militants, their facilitators and support networks would continue.
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The operation came days after a deadly attack on Miryan Police Station in Bannu, where a police official was martyred and 10 others, including security personnel and civilians, were injured. Terrorists had attempted to enter the station after detonating an explosives-laden vehicle.
Bannu has witnessed a rise in militant attacks in recent months, prompting intensified operations by security forces to dismantle militant networks and improve security in the region.