ISLAMABAD: Police in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province said on Saturday five suspected militants were killed in a series of intelligence-based operations launched after a deadly assault on a police checkpoint in the volatile Bannu district earlier this week.
Bannu, located near Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan, has witnessed a surge in militant violence in recent years, with security forces and police frequently targeted in attacks claimed by armed groups, including factions linked to the Pakistani Taliban.
The latest operations came a week after a suicide bombing and coordinated militant assault on the Fateh Khel police checkpoint killed 15 police personnel last Saturday night.
“Following the Fateh Khel checkpoint incident, five highly wanted terrorists were killed during various intelligence-based operations conducted over the past 24 hours,” Bannu police said in a statement.
The dead included Hayatullah, described by police as a key target killer linked to the Zargul group, as well as Asad Yar and Naimatullah, who police said were involved in the Fateh Khel attack.
An “important commander” identified as Mansoor and another unidentified militant were also killed, the statement said.
Police said the militants were wanted in attacks on security forces, the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and civilians.
“Bannu police have no space for terrorists and their facilitators in the district, and operations will continue until peace is restored,” the statement added.
Pakistan has witnessed a surge in militant violence in recent years, particularly in regions bordering Afghanistan, with officials in Islamabad accusing Afghanistan and India of harboring and backing groups like the Pakistani Taliban.
Kabul and New Delhi deny the allegations.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi praised Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police for the operations, saying security forces had foiled the “malicious designs” of “Indian-sponsored terrorists.”
“The nation is proud of the brave sons of the police,” Naqvi said in a statement.
