The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) killed three terrorists belonging to Fitna-al-Khawarij in a successful intelligence-based operation in Dera Ismail Khan on Wednesday.
The department said the operation was carried out on confirmed intelligence and was part of an intensified campaign against attacks on police and security forces.
According to the CTD, its teams reached the area and surrounded the terrorists. The suspects opened fire to avoid arrest and the CTD responded in self-defence.
All three terrorists were killed during the exchange of fire. The department said the bodies were later identified and confirmed to be directly involved in attacks on police and other security personnel.
During a search of the area, the CTD recovered three Kalashnikov rifles, nine magazines, two hand grenades and a large number of bullets from the site.
Officials said the operation has been expanded because more terrorists and their facilitators are believed to be active in the area.
KP Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed and the Additional IG CTD praised the special weapons and tactics teams for the successful action.
They said operations against Fitna-al-Khawarij would continue and the response to attacks on law enforcement would be very strict.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also commended the CTD and said the nation stands with the security forces in the fight against terrorism.
Pakistan has seen a sharp rise in terrorism since the TTP ended its ceasefire in 2022. Recent attacks in Tank, DI Khan, and other districts have killed several police officers and civilians, keeping the CTD on high alert across the province.
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