CTD, Bannu police kill 5 suspected terrorists in joint operation

A joint operation by the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and local police in Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, resulted in the deaths of five suspected terrorists. The CTD identified the slain individuals as belonging to a group referred to by the state as "Fitna-al-Khawarij," a term used for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban.

The "targeted intelligence-based operation" was conducted in the Gulbahar area following credible information about the terrorists' presence. According to an official statement, the suspects opened fire on the CTD's Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team and local police, who returned fire in self-defense. The exchange lasted about 40 minutes.

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IBOs against the terrorists of Fitna al-Khawarij, their facilitators and their support networks will continue with in a more effective manner. The terrorists will be pursued to their safe havens and brought to justice.

Following the firefight, a search and clearance operation led to the arrest of several individuals and the recovery of five Kalashnikovs, 10 magazines, five bandoliers, two hand grenades, and a large quantity of ammunition. Authorities are continuing efforts to apprehend other fleeing terrorists and are conducting identification, profiling, and forensic analysis of the deceased. Legal action is also planned against their facilitators and supporters.

KP Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed commended the forces involved, vowing to intensify operations against terrorists and their networks. Bannu has seen a recent increase in militant violence, with a police official martyred and several others injured in a previous attack on a police station.

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The blood of martyrs will not go in vain and expressed the resolve to continue operations against terrorists.