Five suspected militants killed in CTD operation in Bannu, police say

Five suspected militants were killed during an intelligence-based operation carried out by the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and local police in Bannu district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, police said Thursday.

According to a CTD statement, the targeted intelligence-based operation was launched in the Gulbahar area of Bannu after authorities received information about the presence of suspected militants.

Police said the operation was conducted by the CTD Bannu Region, including its Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, in coordination with local police.

The CTD said the suspects opened fire on security personnel after spotting the raiding team, triggering an exchange of gunfire that lasted about 40 minutes.

Following the shootout, security forces conducted a search and clearance operation in the area, during which five suspected militants were killed, the statement said.

Police added that several other suspects fled the scene and efforts were continuing to trace and apprehend them.

A heavy police contingent later cordoned off the area while search operations remained underway.

According to the CTD, five Kalashnikov rifles, 10 magazines, five bandoliers, two hand grenades and a large quantity of ammunition were recovered from the site. The seized weapons have been taken into custody for forensic examination and further investigation.

Authorities said the identities of the slain suspects were being established through forensic analysis and criminal profiling.

The CTD added that investigations would also focus on identifying and taking legal action against alleged facilitators, financiers and logistical support networks linked to the militants.

Inspector General of Police Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Zulfiqar Hameed and the Additional Inspector General of CTD commended the SWAT team and local police for what they described as their professionalism, timely response and operational performance.

The inspector general said intelligence-based operations against militant groups, their facilitators and support networks would continue.

He said police remained committed to pursuing suspected militants, maintaining the state's writ and protecting the lives and property of citizens.