Terrorist killed in joint police, CTD operation in K-P's Bannu

A Kalashnikov, three magazines and a bandolier were recovered from the terrorist

PESHAWAR:

A terrorist was killed during a joint intelligence-based operation by police, the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and security forces in Bannu, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) police spokesperson Abdul Salam Khalid said on Monday. The operation was conducted in the Miryan area after intelligence reports indicated the presence of suspected terrorists, he added.

The spokesperson further said district police, CTD teams, the Quick Response Force and security forces took part in the operation in Khani Kalay, Barakzai and surrounding areas within the jurisdiction of Miryan police station.

An exchange of fire took place during the operation, resulting in the death of an unidentified terrorist, whose identity was being established, the spokesperson said.

A Kalashnikov, three magazines and a bandolier were recovered from the killed terrorist, according to the statement. Several suspected individuals were also detained during subsequent search operations in the area and were being questioned.

Bannu District Police Officer (DPO) Captain (retd) Muhammad Furqan Bilal praised the personnel involved in the operation, describing those fighting terrorism as “our real heroes”. He said intelligence-based operations would be intensified across Bannu to eliminate terrorism and crime, adding that they would continue until the threat was eradicated.

The DPO also urged residents to cooperate with law-enforcement agencies and report any suspicious activity or individuals to police.

Read: One terrorist killed, eight detained in Bannu IBO

On July 20, a joint intelligence-based operation in Bannu killed one suspected terrorist and detained eight others, according to police. The operation was led by DPO Bilal, with district police, the Elite Force, CTD and Pakistan Army personnel taking part.

Police said the Army had cordoned off the area and established checkpoints, while the slain suspect was allegedly killed while attempting to plant an improvised explosive device. A Kalashnikov, magazines and ammunition were recovered, while two motorcycles and a rickshaw were also seized from the house of wanted commander Zargul, alias “Uncle”. Sources said the house was demolished, although police had not officially confirmed this.

Mobile phone and internet services had also remained suspended across Bannu for a third consecutive day, disrupting business activities and daily life.

The latest operations come after coordinated terrorist attacks in K-P on July 15. In Bannu, terrorists rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the Miryan police station before engaging security personnel in a prolonged gun battle, injuring six police officers and four civilians. Police said the attackers also blew up a damaged bridge leading to the station in an apparent attempt to delay reinforcements.

Terrorism has significantly increased in K-P and Balochistan in the past few years. The rise in terrorist activity has led to growing concerns over the security situation in these regions. In response, security forces have been conducting intensive operations to counter the threat, targeting terrorist groups infiltrating from the Afghan border.

The federal government has been consistently raising its voice on international forums against terrorist sanctuaries operating in Afghanistan and using its soil to launch attacks on Pakistan — a development attested to by the United Nations Security Council.

Read More: Five TTP terrorists killed in Bannu

The recent incidents in K-P reflect the continued security challenges faced by the region.

On July 13, two police officers were killed and two others injured when a suspected remote-controlled improvised explosive device (IED) struck a police armoured personnel carrier during a routine patrol on the Wana-Jandola Road in K-P's Tank district.

On July 3, unidentified attackers carried out two separate acts of sabotage in Bannu district, targeting a government girls’ middle school and a key link bridge.

Explosives planted inside the Government Girls Middle School in Mama Khel damaged parts of the building, cracking classroom walls and shattering windows and doors.

In a separate incident in the Bachki area of Jani Khel, terrorists planted a drum filled with explosives beneath an important bridge, apparently attempting to disrupt transport links. Security forces and the Bomb Disposal Unit defused the device before it could cause damage.

On June 20, at least seven people were killed when a passenger vehicle was targeted in an IED attack in the region.