Two Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan terrorists were killed in an intelligence operation carried out by the Anti-Terrorism Department in coordination with the Bannu district police, officials said on Tuesday. According to the CTD, the security teams arrived after receiving credible information about the presence of militants allegedly affiliated with the banned group.
Authorities said the suspects were linked to Fitna al-Khawarij, a term used by the state for terrorists associated with the outlawed TTP, and were believed to be planning a major attack in the area. Police officials said SWAT teams of CTD and Bannu police were met with gunfire as they approached the targeted hideout. A brief but intense exchange of gunfire lasted more than half an hour.
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Two terrorists were killed, while two others managed to escape under the cover of darkness. A search operation is underway to arrest the remaining suspects. The terrorists were identified as Fazlullah and Safeer Rehman.
Authorities said Fazlullah was involved in the attack and kidnapping of Constable Javed, the murders of Constables Nasrullah and Hayatullah, and an assault on the Sheikh Lundak police post. Safeer Rehman was wanted for the murder of Constable Zubair and for attacks on police posts in Fatah Khel and Kheraaki Mamkhel, which left Constables Isar Khan and Ajmal Khan injured.
Authorities said weapons and materials were recovered from the site, including a Kalashnikov rifle with two magazines, a 9mm pistol with magazine, two hand grenades, mobile phones and an identification card linked to the banned equipment.
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Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police and Additional IG CTD commended the personnel involved and praised their “professionalism, bravery and timely action” in preventing a possible large-scale terrorist incident.
In a separate incident in Dera Ismail Khan, SHO Abid’s body was recovered from Nala Pul Dawood within Cantt police station limits. He was kidnapped two days before. Police said unknown assailants were responsible for the murder, while further investigations are underway.
