The fierce clash between police and terrorists in mountainous area of Dir Upper district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has entered its second day on Monday, leaving at least seven terrorists dead, two local residents martyred, and eight policemen injured, officials told The Express Tribune.
District Police Officer (DPO) Syed Muhammad Bilal said that police, along with elite force units, Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), Rapid Response Force (RRF), and local volunteers, are jointly taking part in the operation. He confirmed the killing of seven terrorists, while sources said the number of terrorists killed could be more than ten. The difficult mountainous terrain and dense forests are hampering recovery efforts, but police have already shifted four bodies of terrorists to the District Headquarters Hospital for identification.
The funeral prayers of the two local martyrs from Hatun Dara were offered at Dir Police Lines. Reports suggest some of the slain militants carried defunct Afghan National Army identity cards, confirming the presence of Afghan nationals among them.
The operation is being carried out in the upper hilly areas of Dobando, Barikot, Salam Kot, and Hatun Dara. DPO Bilal vowed that the crackdown would continue until the last terrorist is eliminated, adding that he is personally visiting different locations to boost the morale of police personnel.
It may be recalled that on the night of August 14, terrorists attacked a police van in Panah Kot, martyring three Quick Response Force personnel and injuring six others. The latest operation is a continuation of the security forces' efforts to avenge that attack and restore peace in the region.
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