PESHAWAR: A key commander of the Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K) militant group was killed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Karak in a late-evening police operation, sources told Dawn.

Sources said that acting on an intelligence tip-off, police raided a hideout in Ambari village in Karak district. An exchange of fire ensued, resulting in the death of Nisar Hakim, a key IS-K commander.

Four policemen were also wounded in the shootout, that lasted around four hours.

According to sources, Hakim was believed to be the mastermind of a failed suicide bombing targeting the JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman.

Karak has long been under the radar of the security and intelligence apparatus for ISKP network and recruitment.

It is one of the most underdeveloped districts in the province with one of the lowest socio-economic indicators, but it is known for its wild berry honey, much of which is exported to the Gulf and the Middle East. Incidentally, the ISKP network, was also associated with the honey trade.

Published in Dawn, November 6th, 2025