Two Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan terrorists were killed in an intelligence operation carried out by the Anti-Terrorism Department in coordination with Bannu district police, officials said on Tuesday. According to the CTD, security teams intervened after receiving credible information regarding the presence of militants allegedly affiliated with the banned group.
Authorities said the suspects were linked to Fitna al-Khawarij – a state term for terrorists associated with the banned TTP – and were planning a major attack in the region. Police officials said CTD SWAT teams and Bannu police were met with gunfire as they approached the targeted hideout. A brief but intense exchange of fire lasted more than half an hour.
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Two terrorists were killed, while two others managed to escape under cover of darkness. A search operation is underway to apprehend the other suspects. The terrorists were identified as Fazlullah and Safeer Rehman.
Officials said Fazlullah was involved in the attack and kidnapping of constable Javed, the killing of constables Nasrullah and Hayatullah and the assault on Sheikh Lundak police station. Safeer Rehman was wanted for the murder of constable Zubair and for the attacks on police stations in Fatah Khel and Kheraaki Mamkhel, which injured constables Isar Khan and Ajmal Khan.
Authorities said weapons and equipment were recovered at the site, including a Kalashnikov rifle with two magazines, a 9mm pistol with one magazine, two hand grenades, cell phones and an ID card linked to the prohibited equipment.
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Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police and Additional IG CTD congratulated the personnel involved, hailing their “professionalism, courage and timely action” in preventing a possible large-scale terrorist incident.
In another incident in Dera Ismail Khan, the body of SHO Abid was found from Nala Pul Dawood within Cantt police station limits. He had been kidnapped two days earlier. Police said unknown assailants were responsible for the killing, while further investigations are underway.
