At least five Khawarij were killed and several others injured in an ongoing security operation conducted by security forces in Charmang, a valley in Nawagai tehsil of Bajaur district, security officials confirmed on Sunday.
Launched in the early hours of the morning, the operation targeted suspected terrorist hideouts in the remote and mountainous region near the Afghanistan border. According to sources, those killed were involved in a string of serious crimes, including extortion, target killing, and assaults on security forces.
“The operation is based on credible intelligence reports about the presence of a key terrorist network responsible for destabilizing the region,” a security official told local media on condition of anonymity.
Residents reported hearing heavy gunfire and explosions throughout the day. Security forces have been navigating the difficult terrain to locate and eliminate terrorist hideouts. While the identities of the slain Khawarij have not yet been made public, officials confirmed their affiliation with a banned terror group operating in the region.
The area has been sealed off as security forces continue their search for remaining suspects. The situation in Bajaur remains tense, with authorities urging local residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with law enforcement.
Bajaur, once considered a stronghold of various terrorist factions, has witnessed a troubling uptick in violence in recent months. This latest operation is part of intensified efforts to restore stability to the border district.
This development follows a high-level jirga held on July 15 in response to a surge in targeted killings across Bajaur. The gathering brought together government officials, tribal elders, and security leadership to chart a unified counter-terrorism strategy, which included the formation of a weekly security coordination committee and assurances of intelligence-led operations to restore peace in the region.
