Three terrorists were killed in a joint operation by the regional police and Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district late Wednesday night, officials confirmed.
According to Bannu police spokesperson Khanzala Quraishi, the operation was conducted on the outskirts of Bannu city following intelligence reports. The three terrorists belonged to the Zarar group and were wanted for multiple attacks on security forces and the target killing of police officials.
“All three terrorists killed in the operation were identified as residents of Bannu,” the police spokesperson added. He stated that security forces recovered three Kalashnikov rifles, pistols, magazines, and handmade improvised explosive devices (IEDs) from the site.
The operation marks another successful step in the ongoing fight against terrorism in the region. The police noted that these individuals had long been on their radar due to their involvement in serious crimes against law enforcement personnel.
Three terrorists killed in this joint action were considered a high threat to local security. Their elimination is expected to reduce the risk of future attacks in the area.
Pakistan has seen a significant rise in terror incidents over the past year, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. The situation worsened after the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) ended its ceasefire with the government in November 2022.
Several areas in KP, including Peshawar, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Karak, and Bajaur, have faced frequent terrorist attacks. Just a day before the Bannu operation, two police officers were killed in an armed attack in the Kulachi area of Dera Ismail Khan.
Earlier this month, at least five people, including an assistant commissioner, were killed in a blast targeting a government vehicle in Bajaur, while 11 others were injured.
In a separate incident in Dera Ismail Khan on Thursday, six people were killed during a clash between two families over a longstanding dispute in the Panyala area. The victims were taken to the local hospital, and investigations are ongoing.
Authorities continue their operations to prevent further violence, aiming to stabilize the security situation across the province.
In another tragic act of violence, Qawal Nadeem Sabri narrowly escaped a deadly gun attack in Balochistan.
Such incidents highlight the rising threat of terrorism, as seen in the recent operation where three terrorists were killed in Bannu.
