LAKKI MARWAT: A militant was killed in an intelligence-based operation in Domel area of Bannu on Thursday.

A police official said that the police and CTD commandos conducted the operation on the information about the presence of some militants there. He said the group of militants attacked the law enforcers with sophisticated weapons when they reached the rural area.

“Policemen took positions and returned fire,” maintained the official, adding that a militant identified as Rahimullah was killed in the gun battle.

He said the militant was affiliated with Hafiz Gul Bahadar group and the cops seized an AK 47 rifle, bullets and a mobile phone lying alongside his body.

He said the fleeing militants had been identified and added they would be arrested soon. “Police are combing the rural areas in search of the fleeing terrorists,” he added.

The fierce clash between police and militants took place a day after a cop tasked to escort a polio team was martyred and two policemen were injured in separate gun attacks by militants in parts of the district. The militants affiliated with Hafiz Gul Bahadar group are allegedly involved in attacks on police and security forces in the district.

On Nov 26, a suicide bomber had detonated his motorcycle rigged with explosives near the security forces’ convoy in the Bakkakhel area of Bannu. The bomber was later identified as an Afghan citizen also affiliated with Hafiz Gul Bahadar group.

Published in Dawn, December 1st, 2023