BANNU: At least eight militants were killed in a gun battle with police in Bannu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Saturday, officials said.
Police said one officer was also martyred and another injured in the exchange of fire.
Officials said police acted on intelligence and raided a militant hideout in the Miryan area of the district.
They said armed militants opened fire, triggering a prolonged gun battle.
Police confirmed that eight militants were killed during the operation.
Security officials said the group was linked to the Indian-sponsored Fitna al Khawarij network.
Bannu Police foil major terror plot in PS Merian area.
8 terrorists killed in operation.
1 official martyred, 1 injured.
IGP Zulfiqar Hameed praises Bannu Police courage. pic.twitter.com/8k5POI7gyV
— KP Police (@KP_Police1) May 23, 2026
Police described the operation as a major success in foiling a planned terror attack in the area.
Sources said one police official embraced martyrdom and another sustained injuries during the encounter.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Zulfiqar Hameed praised the Bannu Police for their courage and professionalism.
IGP Zulfiqar Hameed launches transformation plan for Bannu Police. 50 new state of the art equipments handed over to boost frontline ops vs terrorism.
Bannu Police are the vanguard in maintaining peace and fighting terrorism. IGP #kppolice #IGPKP pic.twitter.com/PfZbriLLv8
— KP Police (@KP_Police1) May 23, 2026
He said the force remained at the forefront of counterterrorism operations in the province.
He also announced a transformation plan for Bannu Police.
Under the plan, 50 new modern equipment units were handed over to strengthen frontline operations against militancy.
