PESHAWAR: Security forces gunned down two alleged militants, including a most-wanted commander, in an intelligence-based operation (IBO) carried out in Dera Ismail Khan district on Thursday.

An official statement issued by ISPR, the military’s media wing, said the IBO was planned following intelligence on presence of militants in the district, adding that an intense exchange of fire took place between security forces and militants.

“As a result of the exchange of fire, Ashraf Sheikh — a high-value target and militant ring leader — along with another militant, Burhanullah, were killed,” the statement said, adding that weapons, ammunition and explosives were also recovered from the dead militants.

The statement said the dead militants were involved in terrorist activities including target killing of innocent civilians. It said that sanitisation operation was being conducted to eliminate any other militant found in the area, adding that locals in the area appreciated the operation and expressed their full support in eliminating the menace of terrorism.

Published in Dawn, February 2nd, 2024