LAKKI MARWAT/DERA ISMAIL KHAN: An armed attack on a tribal council in a Bannu district left one elder dead on Saturday, while four terrorists were killed in two separate security operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, officials said.

In the Bannu district, an elder was killed and four others, including a policeman, were injured when armed men attacked a Jirga in the Bakkakhel town.

Police and witnesses said armed assailants on motorcycles sprayed the participants with bullets during a meeting to resolve a land dispute.

Bahadar Jan, 50, was killed and police personnel Amanullah and three members of a local peace committee were injured.

The assailants escaped after the incident.

A provincial government official announced a compensation package of Rs2 million for the family of the deceased and Rs500,000 for each injured.

Lakki operation

Three terrorists were killed in an intelligence-based operation jointly launched by the police and the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) in the remote Haramatala area of Lakki Marwat district, an official said.

District Police Officer Muhammad Jawad Ishaq said that after receiving information about the presence of terrorists on a dirt track, law enforcers moved to the area to arrest them.

He said the terrorists, wanted in several terrorism-related cases, attacked the police, leading to a fierce gun battle.

“An intense exchange of fire lasted for nearly half an hour which resulted in the elimination of three terrorists,” he said.

He identified the killed men as Waseemulah alias Khitab, Qudratullah alias Abubakar, and Hijratullah alias Hijrat, saying they were affiliated with the Teepu Gul group of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Militant killed in D.I. Khan

Meanwhile, a militant identified as Bin Yamin alias Ibrahim Lalayi was gunned down during a joint operation by the CTD and police in the Prova tehsil of Dera Ismail Khan.

Sources said intelligence reports had indicated a potential threat to security during the Muharram, prompting the coordinated operation.

Police confirmed the slain militant was considered the successor of a feared terrorist killed two years ago and was involved in various terror acts.

During the encounter, two of the militant’s accomplices escaped into a nearby forest.

A search operation is underway to apprehend them.

Published in Dawn, July 6th, 2025