DERA ISMAIL KHAN/BAJAUR: Two terrorists were killed in an exchange of fire with the officials of the Counter-Terrorism Department and the police in Prowa tehsil here on Wednesday.

The exchange of fire triggered when the personnel raided a hideout of terrorists during an intelligence-based operation near Sikandar Road in Bharki area.

The terrorists belonging to banned Lashkar-i-Jhangvi (Bali Khiyara group) were identified as Rashid of Chajri and Rafiuddin of Lar Mahra.

A large cache of weapons and explosives was seized from their possession, including a Kalashnikov with magazines, 55 rounds, two hand grenades, a rocket launcher, four rocket shells and boosters.

The police said the slain terrorists were involved in targeted killing of police personnel, prominent Shia community figures and attacks on security forces.

Addressing a press conference, district police officer Sajjad Ahmad Sahibzada said the city circle police intercepted armed motorcyclists near Gilani Town in the jurisdiction of Cantonment Police Station.

“The suspects opened fire on police mobiles, prompting swift retaliation. All three assailants were arrested in injured condition, who were taken to hospital, where they were identified as culprits wanted by police in several cases, including the daylight murder of trader leader Rana Aslam and his associate Javed.

CTD SP Iftikhar Ali Shah, SP city Ali Hamza Butt, DSP city Mohammad Adnan and DSP Prowa Sardar Alamgir Khan were also present at the presser.

The DPO termed the operations a major success against terrorism and organised crime in the region.

Separately, the South Waziristan police repulsed a terrorist attack on a security post in Azam Warsak area of Birmal tehsil.

Police sources confirmed that security forces immediately retaliated, forcing the attackers to flee.

DSP Asghar Ali Shah said that heavy and small weapons were used from both the sides during the clash.

During the exchange of fire, a civilian sustained injuries and was shifted to hospital for treatment, sources said.

Meanwhile, two people were injured in a roadside blast in Bajaur’s Khar tehsil on Wednesday evening.

The police and local residents said the explosion occurred on the Bypass Road in Inayat Kallay Bazaar just before the sunset.

Soon after the explosion, a police team deployed at the Inayat Kallay Bazaar and local traders rushed to scene and shifted the injured to the District Headquarters Hospital, Khar.

No one has claimed responsibility for the blast, which the local police were investigating.

Published in Dawn, August 21st, 2025