Six Most Wanted Terrorists Killed in Joint Operation Lower Dir (CTD)

PESHAWAR:

Six most wanted terrorists affiliated with India-sponsored group Fitna al-Khawarij were killed on Wednesday in a joint operation carried out by the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Anti-Terrorism Department (CTD) and the Lower Dir district police.

According to a CTD statement, the operation was launched after intelligence reports confirmed the presence of a terrorist group in the mountainous areas of Lower Dir.

“The group had recently attacked the Badwan Bridge police check post, leading to the martyrdom of constable Muhammad Ismail. Following the attack, the CTD and district police immediately started cordoning off the area,” the statement added.

The statement said that when the terrorists came out of their hideouts with the intention of carrying out another attack, security personnel rushed to arrest them. The terrorists opened fire indiscriminately on the police forces, provoking reprisals in self-defense. The exchange of fire continued for a considerable period before security forces gained the upper hand.

“A subsequent search operation confirmed the death of six terrorists. Three of the killed were identified as Khalilur Rehman alias Saddam, Najmuddin alias Abu Janah and Kifayatullah, while the identities of the remaining three were being ascertained. Six Kalashnikovs, three hand grenades and numerous cartridges were recovered from their possession,” the CTD statement noted.

According to the statement, all six were wanted by the CTD in several terrorism cases, while a joint search operation remained underway in the area to apprehend their fleeing accomplices.

KP Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed lauded the performance of the CTD and the district police, saying operations would continue with full force until terrorism was eliminated from the province and the state mandate was maintained at all costs.

Meanwhile, the Additional IG CTD promised that the blood of the martyrs would not be in vain and all possible measures would be taken to protect the lives and property of the public.

Learn more: Five terrorists killed in intelligence operation near Attock (CTD)

He added that all wanted terrorists would be brought to justice.

In another article, the Interior Ministry noted that Naqvi had praised the “brave sons” who foiled the Khawarij’s “impure intentions”, adding that the minister said: “the nation is proud of the brave young men of the CTD and the police.”

The KP remains a key part of the country’s counterterrorism efforts, with security forces regularly carrying out IBOs against militants. The province saw a significant increase in militant violence last year, with more than 500 attacks reported, a 50% increase from the previous year.

Learn more: 4 terrorists killed in DI Khan and Mohmand IBO

According to a security assessment, KP recorded 1,588 terrorism-related incidents, highlighting the growing militant threat in settled and tribal districts. Despite the increase in attacks, security forces reportedly foiled 320 major strikes, while 137 police officers were killed in the line of duty. The report said joint operations by KP Police, CTD and other security agencies led to the arrest of 1,244 suspected militants, while 420 militants were killed in IBOs.