Intense clashes broke out between the proscribed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) militants in the mountainous areas of Upper Orakzai, specifically in the Ghlojo and Narik regions, police sources reported.
According to officials, the TTP launched a targeted assault on ISKP positions, resulting in the death of ISKP’s central commander, Haji Rehman, also known as Haji Dada, along with four of his associates. The confrontation is part of a broader turf struggle between the two extremist factions operating in the region.
Police confirmed that intermittent firing continues across the Ghlojo mountains as security forces monitor the situation and assess the operational landscape. Local authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant and avoid the affected areas while investigations are ongoing.
This recent clash follows last week’s confrontation between the TTP and ISKP, in which ten militants were killed, including ISKP’s sub-commander Hamza. Officials indicate that these incidents reflect an ongoing violent rivalry between the two groups as they vie for control of strategic locations in Orakzai.
Security analysts note that these developments underline the persistent threat posed by both organizations, despite counterterrorism operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas. Law enforcement agencies continue to monitor militant movements closely to prevent further escalation and ensure civilian safety.
Police sources emphasized that the elimination of key ISKP commanders in recent operations marks a significant, though temporary, setback for the group’s operational capabilities in Orakzai. Meanwhile, TTP’s increasing assertiveness in the area suggests a continuing cycle of retaliatory violence that could destabilize the region further if unchecked.
Authorities have called for enhanced intelligence sharing and coordinated security measures to contain the ongoing clashes and prevent potential spillover into adjacent districts.
