In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations said that security forces killed a terrorist ring leader who was identified as Shmrooz Sheenay during intelligence based operation in the Khyber district.

“In another operation conducted by the security forces in Dera Ismail Khan district, terrorist Mansoor was also successfully neutralised,” it added.

The statement stated that weapons, ammunition and explosives were also recovered from the site of the incident. The terrorist remained “actively involved in numerous terrorist activities against security forces”.

It added that the terrorists were also involved in extortion and target killings of innocent civilians and were highly wanted by law enforcement agencies.

A sanitisation operation was under way to eliminate any other terrorists found in the area.

“Locals of the area appreciated the operations and expressed their full support to eliminate the menace of terrorism,” it said.

Two soldiers were martyred in an exchange of fire with terrorists in KP’s Lakki Marwat district on Wednesday. Two militants were also killed in the gun battle.