In a significant development on Thursday evening, five militants were killed during a coordinated intelligence-driven operation conducted by the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and local police in Bannu. The operation took place near Gul Bahar Chowk, falling under the jurisdiction of Haveed Police Station, following credible intelligence about militant presence in the area.
Security forces were met with heavy resistance as the militants opened indiscriminate fire upon spotting the personnel, resulting in a gunfight that lasted approximately 40 minutes. Earlier reports from local police indicated the exchange of fire extended for several hours.
The CTD confirmed the deaths of five militants, although some managed to escape. Initially, Bannu District Police Officer Furqan Bilal had reported four militants killed. Notably, no injuries were sustained by police or CTD members during the encounter, DPO Bilal.
Authorities are currently in the process of identifying the deceased militants and compiling their criminal profiles. Their identities will be disclosed once verification is complete.
During the operation, security personnel recovered an arsenal including five Kalashnikov rifles, 10 magazines, five bandoliers, two hand grenades, and additional ammunition from the militants’ possession.
Following the clash, police launched a search and clearance operation to apprehend militants who had fled the scene. DPO Bilal later confirmed the clearance operation had concluded, with investigations ongoing.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed commended the efforts of the CTD and local police teams for their successful operation. He emphasized that actions against the facilitators and networks of Fitna al-Khawarij—a term used for Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)—would persist until terrorism is eradicated.
The police chief further stated that militants would be relentlessly pursued to their hideouts and held accountable under the law.
