Three suspected militants were killed during a Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) operation in the Shabqadar area of Charsadda district, it was reported on Wednesday.
The operation was carried out by the CTD Mardan Region following intelligence-based information regarding the presence of suspected members of the banned militant group commonly referred to by authorities as Fitna al-Khawarij.
A gun battle erupted when security personnel confronted the suspects. CTD sources said three militants were killed during the exchange of fire.
Among those killed was Hayat Khan, also known as Hayatullah, who was reportedly a wanted suspect in the targeted killing case of Maulana Izzatullah. Another deceased suspect, identified as Asim, was allegedly involved in attacks targeting police personnel and religious leaders in Khyber district.
CTD officials said that three Kalashnikov rifles, hand grenades and other weapons were recovered from the militants after the operation.
Authorities added that several suspects managed to escape from the area during the encounter. A search operation has been launched to locate and apprehend the fleeing individuals.
