Security forces in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district and surrounding areas have killed 17 militants, including three key commanders, during extensive joint operations conducted over the past 24 hours, sources said on Saturday.
Several other militants were also injured, while a large cache of weapons and ammunition was recovered during the operation.
According to a police spokesperson, the operations were launched in the rugged mountainous belt of Sherikhel, Pakka Khel Pahar and Nasar Khel after intelligence indicated the presence of armed groups belonging to the Indian-backed Fitna Al Khawarij terrorist group.
Police units from Lakki Marwat, the CTD Bannu and other security units jointly carried out the raids, in which 10 militants were killed, five were injured, and one facilitator was arrested.
Seven bodies have been retrieved so far, while three remain in inaccessible terrain.
Among those killed were two high-value commanders — Niaz Ali alias Akasha and Abdullah alias Shpunkoi — both of whom were wanted by police and security agencies.
In Nasar Khel, Lakki Marwat Police, the CTD and local peace committee members killed another wanted militant during a separate operation.
A clash also took place between militants and peace committee members in the Hawed area.
In Domel, militants opened fire on a police APC, triggering an eight-hour gun battle.
Six militants were killed and dozens injured in the encounter.
Notorious militant commander Rasool alias Commander Ariana was killed along with his associates, and weapons were seized from the site.
KP’s Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed said the province would be cleansed of terrorism and security forces would continue pursuing militants to their hideouts.
He vowed that operations would not stop until the last terrorist is eliminated.
Meanwhile, an attempt to blow up the Doghra Bridge on the Bannu-Peshawar Road was foiled after unidentified suspects planted around 8 kilograms of explosives beneath the structure.
The Bomb Disposal Squad safely defused the device.
A few days earlier, an IED blast at the same bridge had killed one militant while it was being planted.
