PESHAWAR: Security forces killed at least seven terrorists in an operation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu on Friday, security sources said.

Bannu district has been the scene of repeated security incidents in recent months, with both civilians and local security forces coming under attack amid a broader surge in militant violence.

Security sources stated that their forces carried out a successful operation in the Ghora Baka Khel area of Baka Khel tehsil, targeting a suspected vehicle reportedly loaded with weapons and explosive materials.

According to the sources, the forces received credible information about the suspicious movement of terrorists. Acting swiftly on the intelligence, they targeted the suspected vehicle, parked near a government school, using a quadcopter.

The vehicle was carrying a heavy cache of weapons, including a 12.7-millimetre machine gun, RPGs, and mortar shells.

The explosion completely destroyed the vehicle, and initial reports suggest that all “seven to eight” terrorists inside the vehicle were killed on the spot, the security sources added.

“A search and clearance operation is currently underway in the area due to possible security threats, while further investigations are also in progress,” they added.

On Wednesday, terrorists dropped two explosive devices on the premises of Haved police station using a quadcopter, as a result of which two Frontier Corps personnel sustained minor injuries.

Earlier this month, an alleged militant commander and two other people were killed in separate incidents in the district, while militants also attempted to blow up a key link bridge, local sources said.

Last month, at least two police personnel and as many civilians were martyred, while 25 terrorists were killed in a fierce clash between law enforcers, a peace committee and terrorists.