A “high-value terrorist ring leader” was killed in an exchange of fire with security forces in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Khyber district on Sunday, the military’s media wing said.

In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations said that security forces conducted an intelligence based operation in the district on the reported presence of a “high-profile terrorist”.

The “HVT terrorist ring leader” was identified as Surat Gul, alias Saif Ullah, of the outlawed terrorist organisation Da’esh.

Weapons, ammunition and explosives were also recovered from the site, it added.

The ISPR said the terrorist commander remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities including target killing of civilians as well as extortion. He was highly wanted by the law enforcement agencies.

“Sanitization operation is being conducted to eliminate any other terrorist found in the area. Locals of the area appreciated the operation and expressed their full support to eliminate the menace of terrorism,” it said.