The Counter Terrorism Department’s (CTD) Bannu Region, working alongside local police, carried out a successful Bannu CTD operation against militants linked to Fitna al-Khawarij, killing five terrorists while several others managed to escape.
The raid was launched in the Gulbahar area, within the limits of Howaid police station in Bannu district, after authorities received confirmed intelligence about the presence of Fitna al-Khawarij fighters in the area.
How the Operation Unfolded
According to police officials, the intelligence-based operation (IBO) was carried out under a carefully coordinated plan designed to restrict the movement of the terrorists before they could regroup or flee.
As CTD’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit and local police personnel approached the location, the militants opened indiscriminate fire on the security teams. Acting in self-defense, the forces responded immediately with a decisive counter-assault.
The exchange of gunfire continued for roughly 40 minutes. Once the shooting subsided, security forces launched a search and clearance operation across the area, during which the bodies of five slain militants were recovered. Several other terrorists are believed to have fled the scene during the chaos.
Search Operation and Forensic Work Continue
A large contingent of police reached the site shortly after the exchange of fire and cordoned off the surrounding area. Officials say the pursuit of the escaped militants is still underway, alongside an ongoing search and clearance operation in Bannu.
Identification and criminal profiling of the five deceased terrorists is in progress, with forensic analysis expected to confirm their links to the wider Fitna al-Khawarij network. Investigators also indicated that facilitators, financiers, logistics handlers, and other members of the support network tied to the group will face legal action.
Weapons and Ammunition Recovered
Security forces recovered a substantial cache of weapons from the site of the Bannu CTD operation, including:
- 5 Kalashnikov rifles
- 10 magazines
- 5 bandoliers
- 2 hand grenades
- A large quantity of assorted ammunition
The recovered material has been taken into custody for forensic examination and further investigation.
Police Leadership Praises SWAT and Local Police Teams
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Zulfiqar Hameed, along with the Additional IG of CTD, commended the personnel involved in the operation. Both officials highlighted the professionalism, courage, rapid response, and operational effectiveness shown by the CTD SWAT team and local police during the encounter.
Speaking on the success of the mission, the IGP Khyber Pakhtunkhwa said that intelligence-based operations against Fitna al-Khawarij terrorists, their facilitators, and supporting networks would be intensified going forward. He added that militants would be tracked down to their hideouts and held accountable for their actions.
“The Blood of Our Martyrs Will Not Go in Vain”
The IGP further stated that the sacrifices of fallen personnel would never be forgotten, stressing that operations against terrorism would continue without pause until the threat is fully eliminated. He reaffirmed that CTD and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police remain committed to protecting the writ of the state and safeguarding the lives and property of citizens.
This latest Bannu CTD operation underscores the continued push by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s security apparatus to dismantle militant networks operating in the region through targeted, intelligence-driven action.
