BANNU(National Times)- A fierce clash erupted on Saturday between police, a peace committee and terrorists in the Barakzai Akhundkhel area of Miryan tehsil in Bannu district, leaving at least 25 terrorists dead and several others injured, police said.
Two police personnel and two civilians were martyred in the exchange of fire, while seven policemen and three civilians sustained injuries.
District Police Officer Yasir Afridi told Dawn that more than 25 terrorists were killed during the police operation.
According to sources, the police peace committee received information about the presence of a large number of terrorists in the area and immediately launched an operation. The Lakki Marwat police peace committee also arrived to support the Bannu police.
Terrorists had erected barricades at various points along the routes, which police managed to clear while advancing.
Police sources said that despite intense firing, police personnel safely reached the police station, while additional reinforcements arrived to bring the situation under control.
According to police officials, two key terrorist commanders, Zmari Noor and Abdullah, were also killed in the operation. Local sources said a large number of terrorists were still present in the Barakzai area, keeping tensions high as intermittent firing continued from both sides.
The martyred police personnel were identified as Wahid Khan, son of Shah Baraz and resident of Naib Kaki, and Noorullah, son of Zareef and resident of Baka Khel.
The injured policemen were identified as Wahidullah, son of Ubaidullah and resident of Dheri Gandi Bazaar Ahmad Khan; Shah Bakhtiyar, son of Sardar Khan and resident of Hathi Khel; Sajjadullah, son of Sakhi Zaman and resident of Nar Bostan; SHO Naurang Asmatullah Niazi; Zohaib Khan, son of Dilbaz and resident of Nekam Kaki; Atif, son of Waliullah and resident of Sokari Karim Khan; and Noman Qureshi, resident of Naurang.
The two martyred civilians were identified as retired FC official Raib Khan, son of Zargul and resident of Sardi Khel, and Nasir Khan, son of Baghdad Khan and resident of Akhund Khel Kotka Nazar Shah.
The injured civilians were identified as Mohsin, son of Inayatullah and resident of Akhund Noorar; Bakht Ali, son of Sakhi Sarwar and resident of Khani Kalla; and Safiullah, son of Asmatullah.
Meanwhile, Bannu police also foiled a major act of sabotage after defusing a 10-kilogram remote-controlled bomb planted near Gul Zaman Mosque at Mama Sh Khel on Bannu-Miranshah Road.
The bomb disposal squad carried out a timely operation and safely neutralised the explosive material.
