BATKHELA: The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) launched an operation in the mountainous region of Palai Sherkhana, Malakand, killing four militants.

Speaking at a press conference, DIG CTD Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Hassan Raza said the bodies of the militants were taken to Batkhela Hospital. He said the CTD launched the operation after receiving intelligence reports about the presence of militants in the Palai Sherkhana area.

He said that a heavy exchange of gunfire took place, resulting in the death of three militants on the spot. One militant managed to escape into the mountains, prompting an overnight search operation.

By morning, CTD personnel encountered the fugitive in the Zulm Kot area, leading to an hours-long confrontation that ended with the militant’s death.

A huge cache of weapons and ammunition was recovered from the militants.

The slain militants were identified as Rizwan, Abdullah, Salman and Abdur Rehman. The official said that the militants had entered the area from Afghanistan a month ago and were well-trained to carry out attacks in Swat, Malakand, and Bajaur districts.