SWAT: Three wanted militants were killed on Thursday morning in an intelligence-based Swat CTD operation, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) said. Two other suspects slipped away from the scene, and a search for them is underway.
The operation took place in Sakhadob, an area under the jurisdiction of Kanju police station. CTD teams from the Swat region carried it out jointly with district police.
How the Operation Unfolded
According to the CTD, Swat region officials received a confirmed tip that a few militants linked to TTP commander Muzaffar, also known as the Khalid group, were present in the hilly areas of Sigram, Lalu Banda and nearby locations. The suspects were said to be planning subversive activity.
CTD formed SWAT teams, equipped them with modern weapons and launched an intelligence-based operation alongside district police. When the teams reached Sakhadob, the militants opened fire on seeing them. Police returned fire, and the suspects took up positions in a nearby house, shooting wildly. Officers kept up a measured response.
After the gunfire stopped, a search of the house turned up the bodies of three militants. Two others had already fled.
Who Were the Three Men Killed?
The CTD identified the dead as:
- Abdullah, son of Syed Bashir, resident of Nila Gram, Matta, Swat
- Mansoor Ali, son of Abdul Muttalib, resident of Nila Gram, Matta, Swat
- Ghufranullah, son of Afzal Khan, resident of Sheedala, Shakardara, Swat
All three belonged to Swat district, and national identity cards were recovered from them.
Weapons and Other Items Recovered
Police recovered three Kalashnikov rifles, six magazines and a number of cartridges. A gas cylinder and cooking utensils were also found at the site. A search of the bodies produced a map of Shakardara police station and a diary.
Crimes Linked to the Dead Suspects
Preliminary information suggests the men were involved in several terrorism incidents this year. These include a firing attack on Afzal Khan Gujjar, firing at the house and guest house of Nemat Ali Khan, and the targeted killing of Salimullah, also known as Sajid, of Nila Gram. The CTD said they were tied to other incidents as well.
Search for Two Fugitives Continues
Efforts to trace the two escaped suspects are ongoing, and further investigation into the incident is under way.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed and the Additional IG of the Counter Terrorism Department praised the courage, professionalism and sense of duty shown by the officers. They said operations would continue until terrorism is completely eliminated from the province and that the last militant would be pursued. They added that all available resources would be used to protect the lives and property of the public.