The search operation for terrorists in the Pashan area of Lakki Marwat district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa continued for the third consecutive day on Sunday. Latest reports claimed that at least nine terror suspects, including a militant commander, had been killed.

There was no official confirmation of the latest death, but sources identified the dead commander as Tipu.

Acting on a tip-off, the law enforcement agencies are hunting for militants in the mountainous area comprising three to four villages. The militants are said to be members of a banned outfit that has recently made its presence felt in the province, prompting peace demonstrations in multiple districts.

“The search operation is under way,” Regional Police Officer Bannu Syed Ashfaq Noor said in a statement on Saturday as reports claimed helicopters were flying sorties and security personnel had moved in.

Personnel from the Counter Terrorism Department and Lakki Marwat police are taking part in the operation.

Noor is leading and monitoring the operation in the jurisdiction of Gambila Police Station, Pashan.

Over the last three months, the frequency of search operations has increased in KP and most of them were launched following reports from locals that they have seen armed men in the mountains.

But, in Lakki Marwat the operation was launched after the killing of six policemen in broad daylight on November 16. Terrorists had targeted a police patrol vehicle in the district and, after gunning down the policemen, taken arms and ammunition from the site.

In the action that began three days ago, there were reports of casualties but the Inter-Services Public Relations, the media wing of the military, has not issued any statement.

Reinforcements were called in after an exchange of fire in a jungle near the banks of the Gambila river.

Security forces set fire to a reed overgrowth on the banks of the river and continued search operations.

The incident took place behind the district offices complex, judicial complex, and internment centre. The interment center has been set up in the new building of District Jail Lakki Marwat in which sources said major terrorists arrested from all over Pakistan are kept.

Later, militants also attacked the Saddar Police Station, Lakki Marwat, but the police immediately responded to it, repulsing the attack. Light and heavy weapons were used for an hour, sources said.

Thousands of people had marched in a peace rally on November 18 against the ongoing unrest in the city, irking the banned TTP group. Like other demonstrations in the province, it also demanded of the government to ensure peace.