BANNU: The police on Saturday claimed to have eliminated five “high-value targets”, including a militant commander of the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), in an intelligence-based operation here in the last 24 hours.

Deputy Inspector General of Police Sajjad Khan said that the TTP commander was responsible for the death of 15 policemen who embraced martyrdom in a suicide attack on the Fatehkhel police post in Bannu district last week.

The slain militants were identified as Hayatullah of the Zargul Group, Asad Yar and Naimatullah involved in the Fatehkhel attack, and one unidentified affiliate.

The operation was named ‘Avenging the Police’s Martyrs’.

The suicide attack was claimed by the Hafiz Gul Bahadur-led Ittehadul Mujahideen.

Police operation also eliminates four other militants

Earlier, it was learnt that three suspected militants were killed during a clash with the police and members of the peace committee in a search operation in the district on Saturday.

The sources said that a police constable lost life in a road accident while returning from the operation. They said the police and members of the peace committee jointly conducted search operations in Gambar, Sokari, Jhandokhel and adjoining areas. Two militants were killed during an exchange of fire during the operation.

The security personnel later cordoned off the area and carried out search activities. Police sources claimed that two militants were killed during an intelligence-based operation in the Khojari area along Circular Road late on Friday. The other militants fled.

Police officials said the slain militants were wanted in several criminal activities, including the murder of Rescue 1122 Bannu driver Usman Khan.

He was shot dead last Thursday as he was returning home from duty in the Zargar Mamakhel area of Bannu.

Also on Friday, a militant, a senior commander Mansoor, was killed during a security operation in the Sardikhel area of Janikhel.

Sources said security forces launched the operation following a tip-off regarding the presence of suspected militants in the area.

During the exchange of fire, militant Mansoor was killed.

Meanwhile, RPO Bannu Region Sajjad Khan visited the native village of the martyred Fatakhel police post personnel, offered Fateha and prayed for them.

He reiterated the commitment to launch large-scale operations against terrorists and ensure the elimination of anti-state elements.

He said that during the funeral prayers of the martyred policemen, the police force had vowed that for every martyr, 10 terrorists would be eliminated. He added that operations against militants would continue without interruption until lasting peace is restored in the region.

Meanwhile, constable Zehinullah sustained injuries when the police vehicle returning after the operation collided with a roadside barrier. He was rushed to a hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. His funeral prayer was offered at the Bannu Police Lines. A smartly turned-out contingent of the police presented a salute to him. Regional Police Officer of Bannu Range Sajjad Khan, Bannu District Police Officer Yasir Afridi, Superintendent of Police (Investigation) Sajid Mumtaz, Superintendent of Police (Rural) Haider Ali and others attended the funeral.

Meanwhile, the peace committee held a meeting at Police Lines Bannu, where participants discussed law and order, counterterrorism measures and public cooperation. Committee president Hazratullah said that operations against militants would continue with full force.

He emphasised that ensuring the protection of the lives and property of the public was a shared responsibility of the police and the peace committee and that all available resources would be utilised for the purpose. The participants urged people to support police in restoring lasting peace and said indiscriminate action would be taken against militants and their facilitators.

The peace committee announced that hujras and houses allegedly being used by militants would be reclaimed, while individuals suspected of maintaining links with militants would be required to clarify their position. It was decided that the peace committee would remain apolitical, and the people would lodge complaints about the police’s conduct to it for immediate action. The committee leaders said they were committed to continuing operations until the complete elimination of militants and would take every possible step for the restoration of peace in the district.

Meanwhile, former council chairman Mohammad Zali was killed and his son injured in a firing incident in the Sardikhel area here on Saturday.

Published in Dawn, May 17th, 2026