LAKKI MARWAT: At least six terrorists, including a senior commander of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), were killed as clashes between Fitna al-Khawarij militants and a local peace committee entered their second day on Saturday.
A police officer and a civilian were also killed. Eighteen civilians, including women and children, were injured in the fighting.
The clashes took place in the Takhti Khel area. Local Aman Lashkar militia initially confronted the militants. Police and local authorities later joined the operation.
Using drones, the peace committee identified six Taliban bodies. Police retrieved one body in an armored vehicle, identified as Maulana Nusrat of Jani Khel.
Commander Nusratullah Wazir, also known as Maulvi Zarar Waziristani, was a senior TTP leader in the Bannu chapter. He had operational influence across multiple districts.
Wazir had served as head of the “Dawat o Irshad” (preaching and outreach) unit for Bannu in 2025 and 2026. He was recently assigned the same role for the Dera Ismail Khan chapter.
Security forces had placed a bounty of 2.5 million rupees on his head. He was wanted in 28 serious terrorism cases.
Residents said the operation began as a local initiative. Police peace committees joined later, followed by Lakki Marwat and Bannu police.
Authorities said the joint operation of peace committees, CTD, and police resulted in six Taliban killed. Several others were reportedly injured.
The Taliban repeatedly targeted civilian areas using drones, causing multiple injuries. Attempts to shoot down drones largely failed.
On Saturday, locals attempting to search for remaining bodies came under fire from TTP hideouts. Intermittent gunfire continued, keeping the situation tense.
Residents said around noon, approximately 45 Taliban fighters were spotted in daylight. Locals armed themselves and informed police and security forces.
