SWAT: Three suspected militants were killed and two others escaped during an intelligence-based operation jointly conducted by the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and district police in Swat early Thursday, according to a CTD spokesperson.
The operation was carried out in the Sakhadob area within the jurisdiction of Kanju Police Station, the spokesperson said.
The deceased were identified as Abdullah, son of Syed Bashar; Mansoor Ali, son of Abdul Mutalib; and Ghufranullah, son of Afzal Khan. According to the CTD, the three belonged to a group led by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) commander Muzaffar, alias Khalid. Their recovered national identity cards indicated that they were residents of Swat district.
Police said the militants opened fire upon seeing the personnel, prompting a retaliatory response. After the exchange of fire ended, three bodies were recovered from a house, while two militants managed to flee.
Security personnel recovered three Kalashnikov rifles, six magazines and several rounds of ammunition from the site. A gas cylinder and cooking utensils were also found, along with a map of Shikardara Police Station and a diary, the spokesperson said.
The CTD alleged that the deceased militants had been involved in several terrorist incidents reported this year. These included firing attacks targeting Afzal Khan Gujar and the house and guesthouse of Nemat Ali Khan, as well as the targeted killing of Saleemullah, alias Sajid, in Nilagram.
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Inspector General of Police Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Zulfiqar Hameed and Additional Inspector General of the Counter-Terrorism Department praised the police personnel for their bravery, professionalism and commitment following the operation.
They reiterated that all available resources would be used to eliminate terrorism in the province and protect the lives and property of the public.
