LAKKI MARWAT: Seven terrorists were killed on Saturday in a joint operation carried out by the police and the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), with the support of villagers in Takhtikhel area of Lakki Marwat district, officials said.
The spokesperson for the regional police (RPO) confirmed the confrontation between law enforcement officers and terrorists. “A large police contingent backed by CTD commandos was sent to the remote rural area when local police authorities received credible information about the presence of Fitna al-Khawarij terrorists,” he said, using an official term to refer to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
He added that a fierce gunfight broke out when law enforcement forces tried to surround the terrorists in the border area between Lakki Marwat and Bannu.
According to the official, seven terrorists were killed in an exchange of fire that lasted several hours. “Police first recovered five bodies and then two more bodies of terrorists were found during a search operation,” he said, adding that no policemen were injured in the fighting.
The regional police chief said the militants had initially moved to the Shaikh Landak area, within Havaid police jurisdiction, to attack a police post. He told reporters that when the police, with the support of residents, swung into action, the terrorists fled towards Takhtikhel, where they again clashed with police and villagers. “The terrorists were surrounded by police and armed tribesmen from both districts,” he said, adding that police seized arms and ammunition from the slain militants and launched a search for their fleeing accomplices.
“Law enforcement agencies are busy in disinfection operation to clear the area of other terrorists and recover bodies of more killed. Khawarijif applicable,” he said.
RPO Khan said the militants’ hideouts were being identified with the help of locals. “These operations are proof of the strong determination and commitment of the police to eliminate the menace of terrorism,” he said.
KP Police Chief Zulfiqar Hameed praised the police for their “quick and effective action” against Fitna al-Khawarij.
blown up bridge
Separately, on Friday night a small bridge was blown up with explosives in Masoomabad area on Bannu-Miranshah highway.
A police officer said an improvised explosive device placed under the culvert exploded and damaged part of the bridge. He said the explosion was heard throughout the town. “Fortunately, there were no human losses as a result of the explosion,” he added.
Quadcopter attack
Meanwhile, four people, including two teenagers, were injured in a quadcopter attack in Sherikhel area of Lakki Marwat on Friday night. A police officer said that according to initial reports, explosives were dropped from a quadcopter at a cricket ground where villagers had gathered to watch a match.
“The injured were shifted to the district central hospital,” the official said.
Also on Saturday, RPO Sajjad Khan made an unannounced visit to parts of Bannu city to review security arrangements, traffic management and police deployment at key public places.
Published in Dawn, November 16, 2025
