Six suspected militants were killed during a joint operation carried out by the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and police in Lower Dir district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, authorities said on Wednesday.
According to a CTD spokesperson, the operation targeted individuals allegedly involved in the recent attack on the Badwan Bridge Police Checkpost, which took place on June 18. The attack resulted in the martyrdom of a police constable and left three other officers injured.
Officials said security forces conducted the operation based on intelligence and successfully engaged the suspected militants. During the raid, six terrorists were killed, while a search operation was launched in the surrounding area to track down and arrest any accomplices who managed to escape.
Law enforcement personnel recovered a cache of weapons from the militants, including six Kalashnikov rifles and three hand grenades. Authorities believe the group was involved in multiple terrorist activities in the region, including the assault on the Badwan Bridge Police Checkpost.
The CTD identified three of the deceased militants as Khalil-ur-Rehman, Najmuddin, and Kifayatullah. Efforts are underway to confirm the identities of the remaining three individuals killed in the operation.
The development comes days after heavily armed attackers launched a late-night assault on the police checkpost in Lower Dir. According to police officials, the attack triggered an intense gun battle that lasted nearly an hour. During the exchange of fire, Constable Muhammad Ismail sustained critical injuries and was later pronounced dead at a hospital.
Police authorities said security personnel responded effectively during the attack, forcing the assailants to flee the area. Following the incident, law enforcement agencies intensified intelligence-based operations to locate those responsible.
Lower Dir District Police Officer Capt (R) Muhammad Furqan Bilal had expressed grief over the loss of Constable Muhammad Ismail and extended condolences to the officer’s family.
Security operations continue in various parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as authorities seek to counter militant activity and improve security across the province. Officials stated that efforts would continue until all individuals linked to the attack are brought to justice.