At least six suspected terrorists were killed during a counterterrorism operation conducted by security forces in Pakistan's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Wednesday, according to officials.
The operation was carried out by the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) in the Lower Dir district following intelligence reports about the presence of armed militants hiding in the region's mountainous terrain.
According to a statement issued by the CTD, security personnel, in coordination with district police, launched the operation after receiving credible information regarding the movement of a group of militants identified by authorities as "Fitna al-Khawarij." The term is used by the Pakistani state to refer to members of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Officials said law enforcement teams attempted to apprehend the suspects after they emerged from their hideouts. However, the militants allegedly opened heavy fire on the police teams, triggering a prolonged exchange of gunfire.
The CTD stated that security forces responded effectively to the attack and subsequently conducted a search operation in the area. Six militants were found dead during the operation, while no casualties among security personnel were immediately reported.
Authorities said the slain militants were allegedly involved in several acts of terrorism, including a recent attack on a police checkpoint in the district and the killing of a police constable. Investigators believe the group had been active in the region and posed a continuing threat to security forces and civilians.
During the operation, security personnel recovered a cache of weapons and explosives from the militants' possession. The seized items included six Kalashnikov rifles, three hand grenades and ammunition, which officials said would be examined as part of the ongoing investigation.
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi praised the efforts of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police and the CTD, describing the operation as a significant success in the fight against terrorism. He commended the security personnel for their courage and professionalism in carrying out the mission.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed also lauded the district police and CTD teams, reiterating the province's commitment to eliminating militant networks. He said intelligence-based operations would continue across the province and vowed that efforts against terrorism would persist until peace and stability were fully restored.
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The latest operation comes amid growing concerns over Pakistan's deteriorating security situation, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and neighbouring Balochistan province, where militant attacks have increased in recent months.
According to a monthly security assessment released by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), terrorist violence rose sharply across the country in May 2026. The report recorded 128 terrorist attacks during the month, compared to 101 attacks in April, marking a 27 per cent increase.
Analysts noted that the surge reversed a declining trend observed during the previous two months and highlighted the persistent security challenges facing Pakistan's conflict-prone regions. The report further warned that escalating militant activity continues to pose a serious threat to law enforcement agencies, infrastructure and civilian populations, particularly in the country's western provinces.
Security officials have pledged to intensify intelligence-led operations in response to the renewed wave of violence, as authorities seek to curb militant activity and prevent further attacks across the country.
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