ISLAMABAD: Three personnel from Pakistan’s Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) were martyred and two others injured in a fierce gunfight with militants in the Chashmai area of Spin Tangi, Bannu, on Thursday.
According to District Police Officer (DPO) Saleem Abbas Kalachi, CTD teams engaged the attackers effectively, killing two militants and injuring several others. However, the assailants managed to retrieve their casualties—both dead and wounded—before fleeing the scene.
The injured and martyred CTD officers were promptly shifted to a nearby medical facility. During the operation, security forces recovered a significant cache of arms, including hand grenades, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and other combat materials. A heavy police presence remains in the area as a search operation continues to track down remaining suspects.
This incident comes amid a noticeable escalation in militant activity across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Just two days prior, security forces eliminated three militants during an intelligence-based operation in Turbat, Balochistan.
Recent data from the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) highlights the scale of the resurgence. In January 2025 alone, militant attacks surged by 42% compared to December, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa bearing the brunt of the violence.
According to PICSS, at least 74 militant attacks were recorded nationwide in January, resulting in 91 fatalities—including 35 security personnel, 20 civilians, and 36 militants. An additional 117 individuals were injured, comprising 53 security personnel, 54 civilians, and 10 militants.
The rising trend underscores the urgent need for sustained counter-terrorism efforts across the region.
