Five militants were killed and two civilians were martyred during an intelligence based operation (IBO) carried out by the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and security forces in Domel Lal Chowk, Bannu district.
According to officials militants opened fire on a CTD Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) during the operation.
In the retaliatory response CTD and district police shot dead two militants on the spot, while the remaining militants took shelter in a nearby house and continued resistance.
During the standoff the militants brutally shot and killed two unarmed civilians.
Upon receiving information, CTD’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) teams, fresh police units and security forces rushed to the scene.
After nearly eight hours of intense cross-fire all militants were successfully neutralised.
During the post operation search authorities recovered the bodies of five militants.
One of them was identified as Rasool alias Commander Ariana, while the identification of the others is underway.