DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Three Indian-sponsored militants were killed in an intelligence-based operation carried out by the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Dera Ismail Khan district, officials said on Wednesday.
According to the CTD, the operation was conducted in a targeted area of DI Khan following credible intelligence about the presence of militants involved in attacks on security forces. During the encounter, three most-wanted militants identified as Naimatullah, Abdul Rauf Afghani and Mustafa were killed.
CTD officials said the slain militants were actively involved in terrorist activities targeting law enforcement and security personnel in the region. A cache of weapons, including hand grenades and firearms, was recovered from their possession during the operation.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi lauded the CTD for the successful operation, praising the professionalism and bravery of the officers involved. In a statement, he said the elimination of the militants had thwarted their planned acts of violence and dealt a serious blow to militant networks operating in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The interior minister said intelligence-based operations would continue across the province until militant elements were completely eliminated. He added that the role of CTD in restoring and maintaining peace in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was commendable and would continue to be fully supported by the federal government.
Security officials said further investigations were underway to determine the network and facilitators linked to the slain militants, while operations against remaining militant elements in the area would continue.
