Security forces killed two militants, including a senior commander and an alleged suicide bomber, during an intelligence-based operation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district on Sunday, according to the military’s media wing.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the operation was launched on a reported militant presence, leading to an intense exchange of fire. Both individuals were killed on the spot. Weapons, ammunition, and a suicide jacket were also recovered from the site.

The slain commander, identified as Waheedullah alias Muktiar, was described by the military as a key operative involved in multiple attacks on security forces and civilians. He was also allegedly responsible for facilitating a suicide bombing in Bannu on 21 February 2026, which resulted in the killing of Lieutenant Colonel Gul Faraz during an earlier intelligence-based operation.

The ISPR said Waheedullah was among the most wanted militants and was actively involved in coordinating attacks in the region. It added that his death “avenged” the February attack and prevented what it described as a potential large-scale incident.

Following the operation, security forces launched a sanitisation exercise in the area to clear any remaining militants. Officials said the broader counter-terrorism campaign under the national security framework, known as Azm-e-Istehkam, would continue across the country.

Bannu has witnessed a series of militant incidents in recent months, including attacks targeting police, civilians, and security personnel. Earlier this month, a suicide attack on a police station killed five civilians and injured several others, while another incident led to the killing of two militants and a police official.

Authorities have attributed the rise in violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan to cross-border militant activity, prompting intensified security operations in affected districts. Security forces say ongoing operations aim to dismantle militant networks and restore stability in the region.   

© Naya Daur