ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Saturday praised the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police and the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) for carrying out a successful intelligence-based operation in northwest Pakistan’s Bannu district in which eight terrorists were killed, including a key local commander.
According to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police, the joint operation was launched before dawn in the jurisdiction of Mariyan police station after intelligence reports about the presence of militants in the area.
Police and CTD teams, supported by drone surveillance and modern technology, surrounded the area and exchanged heavy fire with the militants during the operation, officials said, adding that several terrorists were also injured.
Security personnel also recovered and defused a 10-kilogram improvised explosive device (IED) near Azad Mandi on Miranshah Road. Initial investigations suggested the bomb had been planted to target a road-opening duty team.
One police officer was martyred during the operation while another sustained injuries and was shifted to hospital for treatment.
Police identified one of the slain militants as Abdullah Afghani, described as an important commander of Fitna al-Khawarij who was wanted in multiple attacks on police and other serious cases.
In a statement, Naqvi commended the bravery and professionalism of the police and CTD personnel for foiling the “nefarious designs” of terrorists and paying a heavy price in the line of duty.
The interior minister also paid tribute to the martyred police officer and expressed condolences and sympathy with his family.
Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed praised the courage and professionalism of the Bannu Police and CTD teams, saying operations against Fitna al-Khawarij and other anti-peace elements would continue with greater intensity.
He also announced special rewards for officers and personnel who participated in the operation.
