Peshawar CTD operation resulted in the deaths of five terrorists, including a wanted commander of a banned militant organisation, police officials said.
The operation was conducted in the Shamshatoo Camp area of Peshawar, according to a spokesperson for the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD).
Among those killed was terrorist commander Imran, who was wanted in 20 terrorism-related cases. The CTD said he was allegedly involved in the killings of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) leader Maulana Khan Zeb, Senator Hidayatullah and Rehan Zeb.
Peshawar CTD Operation Targets Wanted Commander
The CTD said Imran was also identified as the alleged mastermind behind the suicide attack on the Tarlai Imambargah.
According to the department, a bounty of Rs120 million had been announced for information leading to Imran. His death during the Peshawar CTD operation marks a significant development in cases involving the wanted militant commander.
The operation also resulted in the recovery of weapons and explosives. CTD officials said security personnel seized a submachine gun (SMG), four pistols, two hand grenades and an improvised explosive device (IED) from the militants.
Another militant killed in the operation was identified as Shahidullah. The CTD alleged that he had conducted reconnaissance of the Tarlai Imambargah before the suicide attack.
Security Operations Intensify Across KP
The Peshawar CTD operation comes amid intensified security operations against militants in various parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), security forces killed at least 21 India-backed Fitna al-Khawarij terrorists during multiple engagements in the province between September 3 and 5.
The ISPR also reported that security forces initially eliminated 15 terrorists while thwarting an infiltration attempt. Ten additional terrorists who had taken shelter in the area were subsequently killed, taking the total number neutralised during that operation to 25.
KP Remains Major Violence Hotspot
Pakistan has experienced a rise in terrorist activity, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, since 2021, following the Afghan Taliban’s return to power.
A report by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) identified the two provinces as the country’s principal violence hotspots during the second quarter of 2026, with KP recording the highest impact.
The report said KP and Balochistan together accounted for nearly 96% of all fatalities linked to violence during the quarter. KP recorded more than 61% of the deaths, or 475 fatalities, while Balochistan accounted for 34%, with 265 deaths.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also registered the highest number of violent incidents during the period. The province recorded 151 cases, equivalent to 57% of the nationwide total.
Balochistan followed with 94 incidents, representing 35% of the total, highlighting the concentration of militant violence in the two provinces.
