ISLAMABAD:
At least 16 terrorists, including two key commanders, were killed while two policemen were martyred during a joint operation conducted by the Pakistan Army, police and the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district on Sunday.
According to security sources, security forces, police and other law enforcement agencies are continuing intensive operations against militants belonging to Fitna al-Khawarij, a term used by the state for terrorists associated with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.
The operation was carried out in the Miryan area of Bannu following intelligence reports regarding the presence of militants in the area.
Security sources said 16 terrorists were killed during the operation, including two important commanders identified as Zmari Noor and Afghan militant commander Abdullah Saeed.
Several militant hideouts were also destroyed during the operation jointly conducted by the Pakistan Army, police and CTD, the sources added.
Two police personnel were martyred while performing their duties during the operation. The slain officers were identified as Constable Waheedullah Khan and Constable Noorullah Khan.
Funeral prayers for the martyred policemen were offered with official honours at the Bannu Police Lines. Senior civil and military officials, local elders and a large number of residents attended the ceremony.
Security forces and law enforcement agencies reiterated their resolve to continue operations against terrorism, stating that action against militants would persist until the elimination of the last terrorist.
Read: Eight terrorists killed in joint operation by CTD, police in K-P’s Bannu
On Saturday, eight terrorists were killed in a joint operation conducted by the CTD and police in Bannu. During the operation, Abdullah — described by authorities as a key commander of the banned Fitna al-Khawarij — was killed, officials said. He was wanted in multiple cases, including attacks on police personnel and other serious offences.
Days before the operation, a video allegedly showing Abdullah had circulated on social media, in which he could be seen issuing threats and challenging security institutions.
K-P has been battling terrorism since the United States’ ouster from Afghanistan, with terrorists often crossing the border to target police convoys and vehicles, resulting in the deaths of several officials and personnel.
The Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies, in a report, said that 85 verified terrorist attacks were recorded in April, down from 146 in March, marking a 42% decline, while fatalities from such attacks fell from 106 to 60, extending a downward trajectory that had begun in the previous month.
The report attributed the improvement to Pakistan’s cross-border military campaign against terrorist groups and Taliban positions between February 26 and March 18, which later gave way to a suspension of hostilities and talks in Urumqi, China.
