Security forces and police conducted a joint search operation in the Hassan Khel area of Peshawar’s suburban Jungar Khel locality following intelligence reports about the presence of terrorists, triggering an exchange of fire during the action.
According to security sources, the operation was launched on confirmed information regarding suspected terrorist activity in the area. During the ensuing gunfight, two terrorists associated with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were injured.
In the exchange of fire, a Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) official also sustained injuries. Security personnel immediately secured the area and shifted the injured personnel for medical treatment, sources said.
Following the initial engagement, security forces cordoned off the entire locality and launched a comprehensive search operation to clear the area of any remaining threat elements. The operation was continuing till the last reports came in.
Security Context and Recent Developments
The Hassan Khel region has remained under heightened security focus in recent weeks amid evolving law-and-order challenges and repeated militant activity in parts of the Peshawar division.
On April 16, a grand jirga was held in Hassan Khel, bringing together civil administration officials, security representatives, health authorities, and tribal elders. The meeting, chaired by Commissioner Peshawar Division Riyaz Khan Mehsud, focused on regional development and security concerns alongside civic issues.
During the jirga, tribal elders raised key public concerns including healthcare shortages, education access, clean drinking water, infrastructure development, and electricity and gas supply. Participants also emphasized the need for stronger community-level coordination for upcoming polio vaccination drives to ensure outreach in remote areas.
Security officials, meanwhile, acknowledged that the region has faced a challenging security environment in recent months, marked by both terrorist attacks targeting civilians and law enforcement personnel, as well as counteroperations resulting in the elimination and disruption of several terrorists.
Authorities maintain that search and intelligence-based operations will continue in vulnerable areas to prevent regrouping of terrorist networks and to maintain stability in the region.
