ISLAMABAD (MNN); The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) killed two “most-wanted terrorists” linked to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan during an intelligence-based operation in Tank district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, on Wednesday, according to a CTD press release.
The operation, conducted within the jurisdiction of Gomal police station, was based on “credible intelligence.” The suspects opened fire upon encountering CTD personnel, leading to a 40-minute gunfight before a search operation was launched. During the search, the two terrorists were found dead, along with two Kalashnikov rifles, six magazines, cartridges, and two bandoliers recovered from their possession.
The CTD confirmed that the suspects were affiliated with the TTP’s Mushtaq group and had carried out multiple attacks against police, including the targeted killing of a head constable, the abduction and killing of another constable, IED attacks, and an assault on a judges’ convoy in Lakki Marwat in August 2024 that claimed two police lives.
KP Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed and additional CTD officials commended the Special Weapons and Tactics Team for the successful operation, affirming that law enforcement agencies would remain vigilant and continue such operations to eliminate terrorism.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has seen a surge in terrorist incidents over the past year. According to the Annual Security Report 2025 by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), fatalities in the province rose from 1,620 in 2024 to 2,331 in 2025, marking an increase of 711 deaths – over 82 percent of the national rise and almost a 44 percent year-on-year increase.
In recent operations, six terrorists were killed in Kohat district ten days ago, and last month nine police personnel, including a DSP, were martyred in attacks in Bhakkar, Kohat, and Wana. Days earlier, three Federal Constabulary personnel were killed in Karak.
