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PESHAWAR: Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) officials killed five terrorists, including a wanted commander allegedly involved in 20 terrorism cases and several high-profile killings, during an operation in the provincial capital, the department said.
The operation was carried out in the Shamshatoo Camp area of the city, according to a CTD spokesperson.
Among those killed was terrorist commander Imran, who was wanted in 20 terrorism cases. The CTD said he was involved in the killings of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) leader Maulana Khan Zeb, Senator Hidayatullah and Rehan Zeb.
The CTD, in a statement, also identified Imran as the alleged mastermind of the suicide attack on the Tarlai Imambargah.
A bounty of Rs120 million had been placed on Imran's head, according to the CTD.
The operation also led to the recovery of an SMG, four pistols, two hand grenades and an improvised explosive device (IED) from the militants, the spokesperson said.
Another militant killed in the operation, identified as Shahidullah, had allegedly carried out reconnaissance for the Tarlai Imambargah suicide attack, the CTD said.
The CTD operation comes a week after stepped-up security efforts against militants in different areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Security forces killed at least 21 India-backed Fitna al-Khawarij terrorists during multiple engagements in the province between September 3 and 5, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
Security forces had killed 15 terrorists while foiling the infiltration attempt. Ten more terrorists who had holed up in the area were subsequently killed, bringing the total number neutralised during the operation to 25, according to the ISPR.
Pakistan witnessed a surge in terror activities, particularly in its KP and Balochistan provinces, since 2021, when the Afghan Taliban came into power.
According to a report by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), the two provinces remained the country's main hotspots for violence during the second quarter of 2026, with KP emerging as the worst-affected region.
The report stated that KP and Balochistan together accounted for nearly 96% of all violence-related fatalities recorded during the quarter. Of the total deaths, more than 61% (475) were reported in KP, while Balochistan accounted for 34% (265).
KP also recorded the highest number of violent incidents, with 151 cases, representing 57% of the nationwide total. Balochistan followed with 94 incidents, or 35%, underscoring the concentration of militant activity in the two provinces.
