Bannu police foil major bridge bombing as CTD, security forces expand operations
Indian-Sponsored Militants Among Those Eliminated
Security forces, police units, and the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) carried out a series of coordinated operations across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, killing at least 30 terrorists, including several high-profile commanders tied to Indian-sponsored networks.
Officials confirmed that 13 Indian-backed militants were neutralised in the latest wave of intelligence-based operations, describing them as key actors behind attacks that targeted civilians and security installations across the province. Authorities noted that the crackdown is part of a broader state directive to dismantle all foreign-backed anti-peace elements attempting to destabilise Pakistan.
Lakki Marwat: High-Value Commanders Taken Down
In Lakki Marwat, security forces killed 10 terrorists, including several high-profile individuals.
Those eliminated included:
- Niaz Ali
- Abdullah alias Shponkoi
- Commander Rasool alias Ariana
These commanders were involved in multiple deadly attacks in recent months, and officials said their deaths mark a major setback for the network they operated.
Dera Ismail Khan: Three Khawarij Neutralised
Security forces conducted targeted action in Dera Ismail Khan, killing three militants linked to Khawarij outfits.
Authorities described the encounter as swift and decisive, noting that the terrorists were attempting to regroup in the district when they were intercepted.
Bannu: CTD and Police Intensify Multi-Point Operations
The Peshawar Police and CTD expanded their counterterror net across the Bannu region, killing 17 terrorists, including three significant commanders. Several others were injured in the operations.
Large quantities of arms and ammunition were seized, signalling the presence of an active and well-supplied network.
Operation Breakdown
Operation Sherikhel
- 10 terrorists killed
- 5 injured
- 1 facilitator arrested
Nasr Khel Operation
CTD teams killed a most-wanted terrorist, eliminating what officials described as a “key operational threat.”
Domail Operation
In Domail, six militants were killed after they attempted an assault on CTD personnel. Officers retaliated effectively, eliminating the attackers and preventing a major incident.
Inspector General KP Zulfiqar Hameed hailed the operations as part of a renewed counterterror push, vowing that “terrorists will be chased to their secret hideouts… the campaign will continue until the last terrorist is eliminated.”
Bannu Police Foil Major Terror Plot
In a significant preventive action, Bannu police thwarted a major bombing attempt targeting a bridge in Basiya Khel.
Terrorists had planted an 8–10kg IED concealed in a bucket on the bridge’s central pillar. The Bomb Disposal Squad swiftly defused the device before carrying out a controlled detonation, averting a potentially catastrophic attack.
Rising Proxy Threat Linked to Indian Influence
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned that Pakistan is once again facing a surge in proxy conflict, with foreign-backed militant networks becoming increasingly active.
Without naming India directly, he stressed that past strategic miscalculations allowed hostile groups across the border to gain space, a reality now “coming full circle” to challenge Pakistan’s security landscape.