At least 29 people, including two policemen, were killed during an anti-terror operation in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, according to local authorities and media reports.
The clash occurred in the Barakzai Akhundkhel area of Miryan tehsil in Bannu district, where police and local peace committee members launched an operation after receiving intelligence about the presence of militants, Dawn reported.
District Police Officer Yasir Afridi said more than 25 militants were killed during the operation.
Sources said the operation began on Saturday after security forces received reports that a large number of terrorists had gathered in the area. Members of the Lakki Marwat peace committee later joined the Bannu police operation.
The militants had reportedly set up barricades on several roads, but police removed them and advanced into the area.
Police sources said officers managed to secure the local police station despite heavy gunfire. Additional security forces later arrived and brought the situation under control.
Officials said two senior militant commanders, identified as Jamari Noor and Abdullah, were among those killed.
Local residents said militants are still present in parts of the Barakzai area, and intermittent gunfire continues, keeping tensions high.
The policemen killed in the operation were identified as Wahid Khan and Nurullah.
Several police officers were injured, including Wahidullah, Shah Bakhtiar, Sajjadullah, SHO Nawrang Asmatullah Niazi, Zohaib Khan, Atif and Noman Qureshi.
The two civilians killed were retired FC officers Raib Khan and Nasir Khan. Injured civilians included Mohsin, Bakht Ali and Safiullah.
Meanwhile, Bannu police also defused a 10-kilogram remote-controlled bomb planted near Gul Zaman Mosque in Mama Sha Khel on the Bannu-Miranshah road, preventing a possible sabotage attempt.
The bomb disposal unit safely neutralized the explosive.
