The attack took place at about 12:30am when armed militants opened fire on the post from multiple directions within the jurisdiction of Domel police station. Police officers on duty immediately took defensive positions and returned fire, preventing the attackers from advancing.
After receiving the alert, a large contingent of police, including the Quick Response Force, Rapid Response Force and armoured personnel carriers equipped with modern weapons, was rushed to the area under the leadership of Bannu District Police Officer. The arrival of reinforcements and armoured vehicles deterred the militants, who withdrew after nearly an hour-long exchange of fire by around 1:30am. No casualties or damage to property were reported.
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed praised the Bannu police for their bravery and professionalism. He said the officers had formed an “iron wall” against Fitna-al-Khawarij militants and reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining law and order in the province. He also commended the timely response of the district police chief and his team.
Fitna al-Khawarij is the state-designated term for the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.
Read: CTD kills six terrorists in targeted operations in K-P
The police chief directed officers to continue intelligence-led and search operations in the area to ensure the complete elimination of militant elements. He said the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa police remained committed to eliminating terrorism and protecting the lives and property of citizens.
In the past 24 hours, the Counter-Terrorism Department carried out two intelligence-based operations in Peshawar and Khyber districts, killing six “highly wanted” militants linked to Fitna al-Khawarij, while several of their accomplices escaped.
Police said the first operation was conducted on the outskirts of Peshawar in the Tipu Sano Bacha graveyard area near Zahir Ghari after confirmed intelligence reports. A CTD ambush team engaged the militants, killing three of them on the spot, while others managed to flee by taking advantage of nearby residential areas.
The second operation took place in Jamrud in the Naqa Kalle area near the Shah Kas Bypass Road, where militants were reportedly preparing a coordinated attack on police. CTD personnel foiled the plan and killed three more militants, police said.