KOHAT: Four terrorists were killed in two operations carried out by the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) of police in Kohat and Karak districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, security officials said on Friday.

The terrorists killed in Bazid Khel village of Darra Adam Khel on Thursday late night were identified as Muhammad Qasim, Shahid and Sahir alias Pata, all belonging to the Saad alias Shah Gul group, the officials said, adding that they were involved in attacks on police, including the killing of Constable Younis on Sept 17.

Sahir was also involved in an attack on a police check post in Tor Chappar on Oct 6, in which Constable Bahadar was martyred.

District Police Officer Shehbaz Elahi said the SHO of Muhammad Riaz Shaheed police station was on routine patrol when unknown gunmen opened fire at 1:22am. Police retaliated, leading to an intense exchange of fire that resulted in the killing of the three terrorists. Weapons were recovered from them.

In Karak district, the CTD killed another terrorist in the Banda Daud Shah area on Thursday night. District police spokesman Shaukatullah said CTD personnel were conducting an operation in the mountainous region when they came across a group of terrorists.

Mortar strike claims young girl’s life in Tirah

An intense firefight ensued, with the militants using light and heavy weapons. After the firing stopped, law enforcement personnel searched the area and found the body of a terrorist identified as Suleman alias Akram, a resident of Kohat. He was wanted in several terrorism cases, including attacks on SNGPL installations.

Girl killed

Meanwhile, a girl was killed and eight people were injured in two separate bombing incidents in Tirah valley over the past two days. Sources said the eight-year-old girl died in Bar Qambarkhel when a mortar shell struck a house on Wednesday night.

In another incident, eight persons were injured when an explosive device dropped from a quadcopter struck a wedding ceremony in the Shalobar area.

The injured were taken to Mishti hospital in Orakzai district and later referred to Peshawar for further treatment. It could not be confirmed who operated the quadcopter, though security forces have previously accused militants of using such devices to target their positions.

Meanwhile, unidentified gunmen abducted an engineer and two dam workers from the Mamanrry dam area in Bara on Thursday night. Sources said no group had claimed responsibility and the motive was unclear. The engineer had been hired by a private firm to conduct a survey.

In Landi Kotal, a man was injured when a pistol accidentally discharged in the Ziyarrhai area on Friday. He was taken to Landi Kotal Hospital, where his condition was stated to be out of danger.

Abdul Sami Paracha in Kohat, Ghulam Mursalin Marwat in Lakki Marwat and Ibrahim Shinwari in Khyber contributed to this report

Published in Dawn, November 15th, 2025