Peshawar, Nov 12 (PTI) A militant commander wanted in several terrorism cases, including bomb blasts and attacks on police checkpoints, was killed in a police operation in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, authorities said on Thursday.
The operation was carried out on Wednesday at Sheikhan Pul in Bara tehsil of Khyber district after police received intelligence about the presence of the militant, District Police Officer (DPO) Waqar Ahmad said.
An exchange of fire broke out between the police and the militant during the operation, resulting in the killing of commander Saifullah, he said.
The slain militant was wanted in several cases involving bomb blasts and attacks on police checkpoints under the jurisdiction of Ali Masjid Police Station in Khyber district.
The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) was also searching for him in connection with these cases, the DPO said.
According to Ahmad, Saifullah had recently relocated to Khyber district from Afghanistan. He was killed while allegedly travelling from Bara to Peshawar.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly its districts bordering Afghanistan, has witnessed a resurgence of militant violence in recent years, with attacks targeting police personnel, security forces, law enforcement installations and civilians.
The districts of Khyber, North Waziristan, South Waziristan, Bajaur, Mohmand, Bannu, Tank and Dera Ismail Khan have remained among the worst-affected areas.
Militant groups, particularly the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), have stepped up attacks in northwestern Pakistan, carrying out ambushes, improvised explosive device (IED) blasts, assaults on police checkpoints and targeted killings.
Pakistani authorities have repeatedly raised concerns over militants using Afghan territory for cross-border movement and establishing hideouts.
Police and security forces continue to conduct intelligence-based operations across the province to dismantle militant networks and prevent attacks.
(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)