LAKKI MARWAT: Five suspected terrorists were killed in an intelligence-based operation in the Zindi Falak Sher area of Bannu on Saturday night.

A Counter Terrorism Department official said that CTD commandos assisted by a contingent of police launched the operation on information that a group of terrorists affiliated with a banned outfit had gathered in the Haved area for carrying out subversive activities.

He said that law enforcers reached the area and besieged the hideout of wanted terrorists to arrest them. However, he added, the terrorists opened fire. “The police commandos took positions and returned the attack in the same manner, killing five terrorists,” he said.

The official said that other members of the terrorist group escaped taking the advantage of darkness.

“The policemen are combing the area in search of fleeing terrorists.”

The official identified the deceased as Shah Fahad, Nooruddin, Sabireen, Shermanullah and Mohammad Iqbal, saying Nooruddin belonged to Afghanistan and he was the deputy commander of Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan in the area.

He said the slain terrorists were wanted for their involvement in several cases, including attacks on police and security forces, targeted killings and bomb attacks on police stations.

“The cops seized arms and ammunition, an IED fitted to a motorcycle, mobile phones, identity cards and other equipment from the hideouts and shifted the bodies to DHQ hospital,” he said.

Published in Dawn, April 11th, 2022