ISLAMABAD:
At least 16 terrorists, including two key commanders, were killed while two policemen were martyred in a joint operation carried out by the Pakistan Army, police and Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) in Bannu district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa on Sunday.
According to security sources, security forces, police and other law enforcement agencies continue their intensive operations against militants belonging to Fitna al-Khawarija term used by the state to refer to terrorists associated with the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.
The operation was carried out in Miryan area of Bannu following intelligence reports regarding the presence of militants in the area.
Security sources said 16 terrorists were killed during the operation, including two senior commanders identified as Zmari Noor and Afghan militant commander Abdullah Saeed.
Several militant hideouts were also destroyed during the joint operation by the Pakistan Army, police and CTD, the sources added.
Two police officers were martyred while carrying out their duties during the operation. The slain police officers were identified as constables Waheedullah Khan and Noorullah Khan.
Funeral prayers for the martyred police officers were offered with official honors at Bannu police lines. Senior civil and military officials, local elders and a large number of residents attended the ceremony.
Security and law enforcement agencies reiterated their determination to continue their operations against terrorism, saying actions against militants would continue until the last terrorist is eliminated.
Read: Eight terrorists killed in joint operation of CTD, police in KP’s Bannu
On Saturday, eight terrorists were killed in a joint operation carried out by the CTD and police in Bannu. During the operation, Abdullah – described by authorities as a top commander of the outlawed Fitna al-Khawarij – was killed, officials said. He was wanted in multiple cases, including assaults on police officers and other serious offenses.
Days before the operation, a video showing Abdullah circulated on social media, in which he could be seen making threats and challenging security institutions.
The KP has been battling terrorism since the US ouster from Afghanistan, with terrorists often crossing the border to target police convoys and vehicles, leading to the deaths of several officials and personnel.
The Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies said in a report that 85 verified terrorist attacks were recorded in April, compared to 146 in March, a drop of 42 percent, while the number of victims of such attacks fell from 106 to 60, continuing a downward trajectory that began the previous month.
The report attributes the improvement to Pakistan’s cross-border military campaign against terrorist groups and Taliban positions between February 26 and March 18, which subsequently resulted in a suspension of hostilities and talks in Urumqi, China.
