According to District Police Officer (DPO) Syed Mohammed Bilal, the operation was launched on intelligence reports about militant hideouts.

During the exchange of fire, nine terrorists linked to Fitna Khawarij were killed, with the bodies of five militants recovered from the site.

The DPO added that two civilians were martyred in the crossfire, while ten CTD personnel sustained injuries and were shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Security officials said operations have been ongoing for several days across a 20-kilometre stretch of Upper Dir to flush out militants.

“The crackdown will continue until the last terrorist is eliminated,” DPO Bilal asserted.

A day earlier, five terrorists were killed and eight police personnel were injured in a similar operation in the same district, highlighting the intensity of ongoing counter-terror efforts in the region.