Security forces and law enforcement agencies eliminated four Fitna al-Khwarij terrorists and detained five suspected facilitators during a joint Intelligence-Based Operation (IBO) conducted in the Talgai mountain range of Tehsil Wazir in Bannu district on the basis of credible intelligence, officials said on Thursday.
According to police, the operation was launched after confirmed reports regarding the presence of terrorists in the rugged mountainous terrain, where security personnel carried out a coordinated action aimed at dismantling terrorist hideouts and preventing future attacks in the area.
The operation was supervised by District Police Officer (DPO) Bannu Captain (Retd.) Muhammad Furqan Bilal, while SP CTD Fazal Waheed Khan and SP Rural Asad Ali Shah also monitored the operation on the ground. Personnel from the Bannu District Police, Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), Rapid Response Force (RRF) and other law enforcement agencies participated in the operation.
Police said the terrorists opened heavy fire on the advancing security personnel, prompting an effective retaliatory response by the police and CTD teams. The exchange of fire continued for nearly seven hours before the terrorists’ resistance was overcome.
As a result of the operation, four Fitna al-Khwarij terrorists were neutralized, while five suspected individuals were taken into custody for further investigation and shifted to an undisclosed location.
Officials said security personnel recovered the bodies of two terrorists from the site, while the fleeing terrorists managed to take away the bodies of their two slain accomplices during the intense gun battle.
A cache of weapons and operational equipment was also seized during the operation, including two Kalashnikov rifles, one rifle, a large quantity of ammunition and other military-grade equipment believed to have been used by the terrorist network.
During the exchange of fire, SHO Police Station Basiakhel Inspector Rashid Khan and Constable Wajid Khan sustained minor injuries. Both were immediately shifted to a nearby hospital, where police said they are in stable condition and out of danger.
Police officials said search and clearance operations are continuing in the surrounding mountainous areas to ensure the complete elimination of any remaining terrorist presence and to prevent militants from regrouping or escaping.
The latest operation comes as part of the broader counterterrorism campaign underway in Bannu and adjoining areas, where intelligence-based operations have been intensified in recent days to dismantle terrorist infrastructure, eliminate Fitna al-Khwarij operatives and restore lasting peace and stability.
Police described the successful operation as a reflection of the professionalism, close coordination and unwavering commitment of the Bannu Police, CTD and other law enforcement agencies in the fight against terrorism.
