In Kohat District’s Lachi tehsil of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, six terrorists were killed during a joint operation carried out by the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and local police on Sunday. The District Police Officer Shahbaz Elahi revealed that intelligence had indicated a planned large-scale attack in the area.
Following this lead, a massive contingent of CTD personnel and officers launched a search-and-strike operation. In response to the suspects opening fire, the security forces fought back. As per Kohat DPO’s statement, six terrorists were eventually neutralized during the intense gunfight that ensued.
The bodies of the slain militants were recovered along with their weaponry. An ongoing search operation is now underway in the affected area, as cordons have been established to prevent any further threats. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi praised the bravery and professionalism displayed by the KP police forces and the CTD team who successfully thwarted the terrorist plot.
“The brave soldiers of the KP police and the Counter-Terrorism Department are indeed a source of pride for our nation,” Naqvi noted in his statement, which highlighted the recent rise in terrorism in the province. Last month, six law enforcement officials, including a deputy superintendent of police (DSP), were martyred during a similar attack on a vehicle.
The Centre for Research and Security Studies’ Annual Security Report 2025 confirmed an alarming increase in violence across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The report indicated that fatal incidents rose from 1,620 in 2024 to 2,331 in the following year, a significant escalation in terrorism-related fatalities.
This latest incident underscores the ongoing struggle against extremism and underscores the need for constant vigilance and collaboration among security forces to combat these threats.