Islamabad, 10 July (H.S.): Four suspected terrorists were killed during an exchange of fire in Pakistan's restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province after a joint intelligence-based operation was carried out by the Karak Police, Kohat Police and security forces in the Khattak Banda area of Karak district on Friday.

According to a report by Dunya News, the militants, who were hiding in the Khattak Banda area, opened fire as soon as they spotted police personnel and security forces. The security personnel retaliated, killing four suspected terrorists during the encounter. Following the operation, the entire area was cordoned off and a search operation was launched to trace any remaining militants.

Police officials said the slain terrorists were believed to have been associates of militant commander Zahid, who was killed in a recent security operation.

According to officials, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remain the two provinces most severely affected by terrorism in Pakistan. A day earlier, at least 19 terrorists were killed and 11 security personnel lost their lives during a military operation along the N-25 Highway in Balochistan. The operation was conducted between Zhao Cross and Kararo, where the militants were allegedly involved in extortion activities.

Pakistan has launched Operation Ghazab Lil-Haq as part of its ongoing campaign to combat terrorism across the country.

Officials said the operation has resulted in the elimination of several members of the Afghan Taliban and their allied militant groups. Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, said that the police and security forces remain fully committed to eliminating terrorism and dismantling militant networks across the country.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar