At least four terrorists linked to the Fitna Al Khawarij group were killed in an intelligence-based operation by the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) in Dera Ghazi Khan, sources said on Monday.

The sources said that several other suspects managed to escape during the exchange of fire with the CTD team.

According to a spokesperson for the CTD, the operation was launched after receiving information about the presence of around 15 militants linked to the Fitna Al Khawarij group near the village of Jotar.

Authorities said the suspects had been planning attacks on police and other security institutions.

When CTD teams reached the area to arrest the group, the militants opened fire on them.

The CTD team retaliated, leading to an intense exchange of gunfire.

During the operation, four militants were killed, while about 11 others managed to flee the scene.

CTD officials said that rifles, ammunition, explosives, and other devices were recovered from the militants’ possession during the operation.

The spokesperson added that the process of identifying the deceased militants is ongoing.

Meanwhile, a search operation has been launched in the area to apprehend the suspects who escaped.

Security forces are conducting raids at multiple locations to track them down.

The CTD urged citizens to report any suspicious activity or information related to terrorism so that timely action can be taken.