The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police gunned down three suspected militants during a late-night intelligence-based operation in Bannu, officials confirmed on Thursday.
According to a CTD spokesperson, the deceased were identified as Mudassir, Turab, and Mohammad Hussain — all residents of Bannu — and were affiliated with the proscribed Gul Bahadur and Zarar groups. The trio was wanted in connection with multiple acts of terrorism, including attacks on law enforcement agencies.
During the raid, the CTD recovered a cache of weapons and materials, including a Kalashnikov rifle, a pistol, explosives, and a motorcycle used by the suspects. The operation is being hailed as a significant success in disrupting militant activity in the southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Video of KPK Police and Counterterrorism Department personnel firing at Fitna al-Khawarij/TTP terrorists yesterday during an operation in Bannu.
— The STRATCOM Bureau (@OSPSF) July 17, 2025
Three high-profile enemy terrorist combatants from the TTP's Zarrar Group were successfully eliminated. pic.twitter.com/MjTfXbfYgr
This latest operation comes just ten days after a similar CTD-led action in Lakki Marwat, where three militants linked to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were killed in a late-night encounter near the Bhutani Canal in Sarai Naurang. That raid also resulted in the recovery of hand grenades, rifles, ammunition, and mobile phones.
The operations underscore a broader crackdown on rising militant violence across Pakistan, particularly in KP and Balochistan. According to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), the country recorded 85 militant attacks in May 2025, up 5% from April. These attacks resulted in 113 fatalities and 182 injuries.
Security officials noted a concerning 73% rise in deaths among security personnel and a 145% increase in civilian injuries. However, counterterrorism operations also claimed the lives of 59 militants during the same period.
With 82 of the 85 attacks concentrated in Balochistan and KP, the CTD’s operations are seen as crucial steps in curbing the expanding militant footprint in the region.