DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Four suspected terrorists were killed during a search operation carried out by security forces in Kulachi tehsil of Dera Ismail Khan district on Friday, officials said.

According to a statement issued by the counter-terrorism department (CTD), the operation was launched on a tip-off about the presence of terrorists in the forests near Bacha Abad and its suburbs in the Kulachi tehsil.

Officials said that the security forces came under attack from various locations as they combed the forests for the terrorists. However, the security personnel remained safe.

At least four terrorists were killed in the counterattack, they added. Two of them were identified as Javed Malana and Abdur Rehman Ustrana. They were wanted in eight different acts of terrorism, including attacks on the security forces and a police mobile in Parova area.

The security forces also recovered several Kalashnikovs, police wireless sets, hand grenades and material used in the making of the suicide vests.

The sources said that the operation was still under way due to the presence of more terrorists in the forested areas of Kulachi.

Published in Dawn, August 17th, 2019