Three wanted militants were killed during a Bannu joint operation carried out by the regional police and Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), officials confirmed on Thursday.
The operation took place at midnight on the outskirts of Bannu city. According to police spokesperson Khanzala Quraishi, all three suspects belonged to the Zarar group. They were reportedly involved in attacks on security forces and targeted killings of police personnel.
Authorities said the terrorists were identified as local residents of Bannu. During the raid, security forces recovered weapons, including three Kalashnikovs, magazines, pistols, and handmade improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
The successful action comes amid rising security concerns in KP and Balochistan. The recent increase in militant activity follows the end of the ceasefire by the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in late 2022. Since then, terrorism-related incidents have surged across areas such as Peshawar, Karak, Lakki Marwat, Bajaur, and Bannu.
In a separate incident this week, two policemen were shot dead in Dera Ismail Khan’s Kulachi area. Earlier this month, five people were killed and eleven others injured in a bomb attack targeting a government vehicle in Bajaur.
Meanwhile, a separate clash in the Panyala area of Dera Ismail Khan on Thursday morning left six dead. The conflict reportedly stemmed from a long-standing family dispute. Police said the victims were close relatives and confirmed that investigations are ongoing.
The Bannu joint operation is being viewed as a strong signal of continued efforts by law enforcement agencies to counter militancy in the region. Security officials reaffirmed their commitment to eliminating threats posed by militant groups.
