A terrorist commander, allegedly involved in carrying out bomb blasts and targeting law enforcement personnel, was killed during an intelligence-based operation in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Lakki Marwat district, the police said on Wednesday.

According to a statement issued by the Lakki Marwat police, the terrorist — identified as Kifayatullah — was killed during an exchange of fire with the cops.

“The police, upon receiving information about a suspected hideout in Nawar Khel, led a Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) team and carried out the operation, during which one police constable was left injured due to an exchange of fire with the terrorists,” the statement said.

Ammunition and a Kalashnikov were recovered from the slain terrorist, it added.

According to the police statement, the “exchange of fire went on for a long time, during which the police retaliated bravely.” It added that a clearance operation was underway in Nawar Khel.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Bannu region Sajjad Khan lauded the bravery of the police officers who participated in the operation.

“Our officers are always ready to fight for their homeland,” he said in a statement. “Their resolve to thwart terrorists’ attempts is ironclad”.

In August, terrorists in Lakki Marwat carried out a series of militant attacks, killing three soldiers and a woman while injuring three others, including two soldiers.

Lakki Marwat has long been a hotspot for terrorism and violence, with unrest dating back to the early 2000s. Militant attacks have become more frequent in recent months, despite ongoing efforts by local peace committees to maintain order and resist terrorist influence.