BANNU — The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and local police eliminated five suspected terrorists on Thursday night during a joint, intelligence-based operation (IBO) in the Gulbahar area of Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The CTD officially categorized the deceased individuals as members of Fitna-al-Khawarij (the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP). Several other suspected militants were arrested during the operation.
Pakistani security sources say that yesterday, during counterterrorism missions in Bannu and its surroundings, EIGHTEEN (18) enemy terrorist combatants were eliminated and large caches of their arms and ammunition were seized and destroyed. pic.twitter.com/h5a51EqMRR
— The STRATCOM Bureau (@OSPSF) July 17, 2026
Targeted Raid and 40-Minute Gunbattle
Acting on credible intelligence regarding a gathering of militants within the jurisdiction of the Hawed Police Station, a specialized CTD Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit and local police cordoned off the targeted area.
Upon discovery, the militants opened indiscriminate fire on the security forces. A fierce exchange of fire ensued for roughly 40 minutes.
Following the gunbattle, a search and clearance operation yielded:
- Deceased: 5 terrorists killed.
- Apprehended: Several accomplices arrested on-site.
- Seized Weapons: 5 Kalashnikov assault rifles, 10 magazines, 5 bandoliers, 2 hand grenades, and a significant quantity of ammunition.
- Escapes: Law enforcement launched an active manhunt to track down a small group of militants who fled the scene during the firefight.
Surge in Regional Violence
Bannu has faced a sharp rise in militant operations over the past year, with local police and security infrastructure heavily targeted.
This joint operation follows a major insurgent assault earlier in the week:
| Date | Location / Target | Attack Details & Casualties | Security Response |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 16, 2026 | Gulbahar, Hawed PS | Firefight with CTD/SWAT | 5 terrorists killed, several arrested, arms cache seized. |
| July 15, 2026 | Miryan Police Station | VBIED (car bomb) ramming attempt; 1 police official martyred, 10 injured. | Attack foiled; militants prevented from storming the facility. |
| June 26, 2026 | Baka Khel, Bannu | Vehicle carrying RPGs & machine guns | 7 terrorists killed via quadcopter-targeted strike. |
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police (IG) Zulfiqar Hameed commended the bravery of the SWAT team and Bannu police. He reaffirmed the state’s resolve, stating, “IBOs against the terrorists of Fitna-al-Khawarij, their facilitators, and their support networks will continue. The terrorists will be pursued to their safe havens and brought to justice.”
