Six most wanted terrorists killed in joint operation Lower Dir: CTD

PESHAWAR:

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

According to a CTD press release, 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,” he added.

The statement said that when the terrorists came out from their hideouts with the intention of carrying out another attack, security personnel moved to arrest them. The terrorists opened indiscriminate fire against police patrols, prompting retaliation 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 dead were identified as Khalilur Rehman alias Saddam, Najmuddin alias Abu Janah and Kifayatullah, while the identities of the remaining three were ascertained. Six Kalashnikovs, three hand grenades and numerous rounds of ammunition were recovered from their possession,” the CTD statement said.

According to the statement, the six were wanted by the CTD in multiple terrorism cases, while a joint search operation was still underway in the area to arrest their fugitive accomplices.

KP Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed praised the performance of the CTD and district police and said operations would continue in full force until terrorism was eliminated from the province and the state’s mandate was maintained at all costs.

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

Read more: Five terrorists killed in intelligence operation near Attock: CTD

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

In a separate post, the Ministry of Home Affairs noted that Naqvi praised the “brave sons” who thwarted the “impure intentions” of the Khawarij, adding that the minister stated that “the nation is proud of the brave youth of the CTD and the police.”

KP remains a key focus of the country’s counterterrorism efforts, with security forces regularly conducting IBOs against militants. The province witnessed a significant increase in militant violence last year, with more than 500 attacks reported, representing a 50% increase compared to the previous year.

Read more: 4 terrorists killed in DI Khan, Mohmand IBO

According to a security assessment, KP recorded 1,588 terror-related incidents, underlining the growing militant threat in both settled and tribal districts. Despite the increase in attacks, security forces reportedly thwarted 320 major attacks, 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 IBO.