Security forces and the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) have eliminated Mufti Abu Zar Bangash, alias Zahid Gul, a key terrorist commander linked to Fitna al-Khwarij, during a joint intelligence-based operation in Lakki Marwat, with the terrorist organization Ittehad-ul-Mujahideen (IMP) subsequently confirming his death.
The confirmation by IMP provides further indication of the elimination of the commander, who was reportedly close to the banned Hafiz Gul Bahadur group and considered an important figure within the terrorist network operating in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The operation was launched after intelligence reports indicated the commander’s presence in the area. Security sources said Zahid Gul was allegedly involved in planning and facilitating the suicide bombing at Kohat Police Lines, placing him among the key targets pursued by counterterrorism agencies.
He was also wanted in connection with other terrorist attacks and criminal activities, according to available information. His elimination could help investigators pursue further leads concerning the networks, facilitators and operational links behind attacks targeting security personnel and law enforcement installations.
The Kohat Police Lines bombing underscored the continuing threat posed by terrorist networks operating across southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where security forces and police have intensified intelligence-led efforts to identify and dismantle those involved in attacks on law enforcement personnel and public infrastructure.
The reported association with the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group is also significant given the broader network of terrorist actors operating in the region. Establishing the precise connections among these groups remains important for investigators seeking to trace command structures, recruitment channels and logistical support behind terrorist attacks.
Security forces and the CTD continue intelligence-based operations against Fitna al-Khwarij and associated terrorist networks to disrupt attack planning, dismantle facilitation structures and prevent further violence.
Further details about the Lakki Marwat operation, including any weapons or other material recovered, have not been officially disclosed.
