A terrorist attempt to rescue a detained terrorist commander was foiled when armed attackers opened fire on a counterterrorism investigation team in the Bannu region, security officials confirmed.
The incident occurred when a team from the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) was transporting detained militant commander Osama alias Daniyal alias Bagi, who was linked to several terrorist attacks, to the crime scene for evidence collection and site identification.
The operation was related to the investigation of an attack on Assistant Commissioner Shah Wali Khan in North Waziristan.
According to officials, militant associates attempted to free the detained suspect by launching indiscriminate firing on the CTD team.
Exchange of Fire and Casualties
The CTD SWAT team responded swiftly, resulting in a prolonged exchange of fire lasting approximately 40 minutes between security personnel and the attackers.
During the crossfire, the detained militant commander Osama alias Daniyal alias Bagi was killed, reportedly due to firing from his own associates.
Another militant was also killed in retaliatory fire. The deceased was identified as Kamil Khan alias Ikhlas Yar, son of Naboot Khan, a resident of Kabalkhel, Shewa area of North Waziristan.
Security forces recovered a Kalashnikov rifle, two magazines, two hand grenades, a banned organization card, a national identity card (CNIC), and a mobile phone from the deceased militant.
Evidence of Injured Fleeing Militants
Search operations conducted after the incident revealed blood traces at multiple locations, suggesting that fleeing militants may have taken their wounded companions with them.
Authorities have launched a search-and-strike operation to arrest the remaining attackers.
Official Response
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police officials, including Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed, and Additional IG CTD praised the operational professionalism of the personnel involved in the action.
Officials reiterated that operations against terrorist elements will continue without discrimination to ensure peace and security across the province, particularly in southern districts.
Authorities emphasized that terrorists have no loyalty even to their own associates, noting that militant groups often turn on their companions during crises.
