Up to three alleged activists were killed in an late evening operation by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police department (CTD) in Bannu, officials announced on Thursday.
A spokesman for the anti-terrorist provincial police said that activists eliminated were affiliated with the proscribed groups of Gul Bahadur and Zarar.
They were identified as Mudassir, Turab and Mohammad Hussain, added the spokesman, saying that the three, who came from Bannu, were sought by police for acts of terrorism.
After the successful raid, the CTD recovered explosives, automatic weapons, including a Kalashnikov and a pistol, as well as a motorcycle used by the suspects.
The CTD action occurred for almost ten days after three other activists affiliated in Pakistan in Tehreek-E-Taliban (TTP) prohibited were killed in an end-of-night operation in Lakki Marwat.
The CTD said that four hand grenades, several Kalashnikov rifles, dozens of ammunition cycles and two mobile phones were found in the aftermath of the Sarai Naurang region, near the Bhutani Canal.
Activists were sought after for several attacks on police and other members of the law enforcement, added the spokesperson.
Growing terrorist attacks
Pakistan experienced a slight increase in militant attacks in May 2025, even if increased military tensions with neighboring India have not triggered a significant escalation of the violence of extremist groups.
The data published by Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (Pics), based in Islamabad, indicate a 5% increase in attacks compared to April, although the overall image suggests that militant groups have largely remained contained despite the regional geopolitical climate.
According to the monthly evaluation of the Picss, May recorded 85 militant attacks, a marginal increase compared to 81 in April.
These incidents led to 113 deaths, including 52 members of the security forces, 46 civilians, 11 activists and four members of the peace committees. The month also saw 182 people injured, including 130 civilians, 47 security staff, four activists and a member of the peace committee.
While the overall number of attacks has seen only a modest increase, a deeper dive into the figures reveals certain trends concerning.
Deaths among safety staff increased by 73% significant, stressing the persistent threat to the armed forces of Pakistan.
Civil injuries also experienced a spectacular increase of 145%, from 53 in April to 130 in May, highlighting the growing impact of militant activities on the general population. Conversely, injuries among safety personnel decreased by 20%, from 59 to 47.
In operations launched by security forces during the month, at least 59 activists were killed, while five members of security personnel lost their lives.
Combining militant attacks and security operations, the overall number of victims for May was 172, including 57 security staff, 65 activists, 46 civilians and four members of the peace committee.
Balutchistan and KP have remained the most affected provinces, representing 82 of the 85 attacks on the national scale.
Balutchistan has experienced the highest level of violence, with 35 militant attacks that killed 51 dead – including 30 civilians, 18 security staff and three activists – and 100 injured (94 civilians, five security staff and an activist).
