DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Four alleged militants were killed in a joint operation conducted by security forces and police in the Kot Kundian area of Dera Ismail Khan’s Kulachi tehsil on Monday, police said.

Police informed that security forces and the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) of police carried out the operation on Sunday night following intelligence on the presence of militants in the area. The operation lasted until Monday morning.

The police claimed that militants opened indiscriminate fire on the forces, which was promptly retaliated, killing four militants on the spot.

They added that the dead militants were affiliated with the Gandapur Group of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan.

Police said that latest weaponry, explosive, and other items were recovered from the dead militants, whose identities are yet to be confirmed.

The operation started late Sunday night and concluded at noon on Monday.

Meanwhile, police stated that unknown armed assailants killed former director of Agriculture Department, Ihsanullah Khan Gandapur in the Hathala area of Kulachi tehsil.

The case is currently under investigation, as per the police.

Published in Dawn, March 26th, 2024