At least six terrorists were killed in a gun battle with the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) during an intelligence-based operation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Lakki Marwat district on Friday.
Intense 40-Minute Firefight
According to an official statement, the CTD team came under fire from terrorists upon reaching the Shagayi area. The police retaliated, leading to an intense exchange of gunfire that lasted approximately 40 minutes.
Following the engagement, a search operation was conducted, confirming the deaths of six terrorists. The process of identifying the deceased individuals is currently underway.
Arsenal Recovered
Security forces recovered a significant cache of weapons and explosives from the scene, including:
- Four Kalashnikov rifles
- Two pistols
- Eight hand grenades
- One improvised explosive device (IED)
Top Police Officials Hail Operation
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed and the Additional Inspector General of CTD praised the police team for the successful operation.
“We will pursue the terrorists to their hideouts and bring them to justice,” stated IGP Hameed. He added a solemn vow: “The blood of the martyrs will not go in vain; we will defeat the enemies of peace.”
Background: Operation Ghazab lil-Haq
This operation occurs within the broader context of Pakistan’s ongoing counter-terrorism campaign, “Operation Ghazab lil-Haq.” The initiative was launched in response to a significant increase in cross-border terrorist activity following the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021.
According to government figures, the operation has resulted in over 650 Afghan Taliban fighters killed and more than 855 injured in strikes along and across the border. The campaign has also targeted terrorist infrastructure, destroying hundreds of checkposts and vehicles.
Despite diplomatic engagements, tensions persist along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, with Pakistan citing the Afghan Taliban regime’s reluctance to act against militant groups operating from its soil.
