16 terrorists, two policemen killed in ongoing joint operation in Bannu

BANNU: A joint operation by the Pakistan Army, police and the Counter Terrorism Department in Bannu has so far left 16 terrorists dead, including two commanders, while two policemen were martyred, according to security sources.

Security sources said the operation began a day earlier in the Miryan area after information was received about the presence of militants there. They said 15 terrorists had initially been killed and one policeman had embraced martyrdom during the ongoing action. Later, another militant was killed, taking the total number of terrorists killed to 16.

According to security sources, the dead included wanted commander Zamri Noor and Afghan militant commander Abdullah Saeed. They added that several militant hideouts were also destroyed during the raid.

Policemen martyred during operation

Security sources identified the martyred police personnel as Constable Waheedullah Khan and Constable Noorullah Khan. Funeral prayers for the two policemen were offered at Police Lines Bannu.

Senior civil and military officials, local elders and members of the public attended the funeral prayers.

The operation, launched on Saturday, also led to the recovery of a 10-kilogram improvised explosive device, which security forces safely defused, security sources said.

Authorities said modern drones and advanced surveillance technology were used during the raid to track militant movement in the area.

Officials say action will continue

Security sources said the Pakistan Army, police and other law enforcement agencies were continuing joint operations against terrorists and maintained that action against Fitna al-Khawarij would continue until the last militant was eliminated.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed said operations against Fitna al-Khawarij and terrorists would continue. He added that KP Police remained on the front line for the protection of public life and property and would respond decisively to every militant attack.

Wider security backdrop

The development comes amid a rise in cross-border terrorist incidents, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021.

Pakistan has repeatedly asked Kabul to ensure that Afghan soil is not used by terrorist organisations to launch attacks inside Pakistan. The Afghan Taliban government had refused to act against groups involved in repeated attacks on Pakistani security personnel and civilians.

Pakistan launched Operation Ghazab lil-Haq in February this year, months after the two countries agreed to a ceasefire in October 2025 following clashes triggered by what it described as unprovoked gunfire by the Afghan Taliban at multiple border points.

Despite several rounds of talks, the two sides have not reached an agreement because of the Afghan Taliban administration’s reluctance to move against terrorist groups operating from its territory.