Five TTP terrorists killed in Bannu

BANNU:

Five terrorists belonging to the Fitna al-Khawarij were killed during a targeted intelligence-based operation (IBO) conducted by the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and local police in Bannu district, while several others fled after an exchange of fire lasting about 40 minutes.

According to a CTD statement issued on Thursday, the operation was carried out in the Gulbahar area within the jurisdiction of Hawed Police Station after confirmed intelligence reports about the presence of terrorists from the Fitna al-Khawarij – a term used for the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

The operation was executed under a coordinated plan aimed at restricting the movement of the terrorists. As security personnel closed in, the terrorists opened indiscriminate fire on the CTD's Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team and local police.

The security forces returned fire in self-defence, triggering an exchange that continued for nearly 40 minutes. A subsequent search and clearance operation resulted in the killing of five terrorists, while several others were forced to flee.

A heavy police contingent later reached the area and cordoned it off. A pursuit operation, along with search and clearance activities, was continuing to trace and apprehend the fleeing terrorists. The CTD said the process of identifying the slain terrorists, criminal profiling and forensic analysis was under way.