ISLAMABAD: Four militants were killed in a shootout with police in Karak district of Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, police said on Friday.
KP, which borders Afghanistan, has seen a surge in militancy in recent years, with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militant groups frequently targeting police and security forces’ convoys and check-posts.
The latest encounter between police and militants occurred during an intelligence-based operation on reported presence of militants in Khattak Dam area near Karak’s border with Kohat district, according to Karak police spokesman Shaukat Khan.
“During the operation, the terrorists opened fire on the police party, to which the police retaliated effectively,” Khan said. “As a result of the intense exchange of fire, four terrorists of Commander Zahid group were killed.”
The militant group has been involved in the killings of a number of police officials, according to the spokesman.
“Police have cordoned off the area and launched a search operation,” Khan said.
“Karak police reiterate their commitment to eliminating terrorism and establishing lasting peace in the area while operations against miscreants will continue with full force.”
Pakistan blames the surge in militancy in its western regions on militants operating out of Afghanistan, an allegation denied by Kabul.
The attacks have soured relations between Islamabad and Kabul, leading to fierce clashes between both sides since February this year.
