BANNU: At least 17 terrorists, including three high-profile Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) commanders, were killed in coordinated operations by police, the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), and security forces across Bannu division, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, officials said Saturday. The operations were launched following a deadly attack on the Howaid Peace Committee office on Friday that left seven people dead.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Zulfiqar Hameed, said joint teams carried out operations in Sheri Khail and Pakka Pahar Khail, killing 10 terrorists and injuring several others. One facilitator was arrested, and seven bodies were recovered, while three could not be retrieved due to the challenging mountainous terrain. Among the dead were wanted commanders Niaz Ali alias Ukasha and Abdullah alias Shapunkoi.
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A separate operation in Nasar Khail resulted in the killing of another wanted terrorist. Meanwhile, an eight-hour operation in Domail Tehsil targeted multiple militant hideouts, leaving six terrorists dead and dozens injured. TTP commander Rasul Ghani alias Aryana Painda Khel was reportedly among those killed.
IGP Hameed commended the security forces for their success and vowed that operations would continue until the last remaining militants were eliminated. He emphasized that forces would pursue terrorists even in remote hideouts to restore peace in the region.
The intensified operations followed the Friday attack on the Howaid Peace Committee office, which killed seven people and injured one. Security officials said the assault prompted immediate and sustained counterterrorism measures across Bannu division.
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