PESHAWAR: Two militants were killed in exch­ange of fire between members of security forces and militants in Mardan district on Monday, said a statement issued by Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR).

The statement said that security forces conducted an intelligence-based ope­r­a­tion (IBO) after confirming pre­s­e­nce of militants in Mardan.

Two militants were kil­led after an intense excha­nge of fire between militants and members of security forces. Weapons, amm­u­nition and explosives were also recovered from the militants killed in the operation, the statement said.

The militants, according to ISPR, had been involved in militant activities in the area.

“A sanitisation operation is being conducted to eliminate any other terrorist in the area,” the statement said, adding that local residents have appreciated the operation and expressed their full support to security forces in eliminating the menace of militancy.

On Sunday, security forces shot dead a high-profile militant associated with the militant Islamic State group, also known as Daesh, during a targeted operation in the Khyber district.

The ISPR statement said that the operation was bas­ed on intelligence about the location of Surat Gul, also known as Saif Ullah. Gul was killed after an inte­nse exchange of fire between members of security forces and the militants.

A security official said that Gul was the ringleader of the group who had carried out attacks on Sikhs and other minorities in Peshawar.

Published in Dawn, February 13th, 2024