Two militants killed in joint operation in Bannu, northwest Pakistan

Pakistan's Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) said on Wednesday that two militants were killed in a joint operation in Bannu district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, northwest Pakistan. The operation was carried out after intelligence reports indicated that the militants were planning a major attack, the CTD said in a statement.

According to the statement, one of the killed militants was identified as Muhib Khan, who was wanted in 22 cases. The cases against him included target killings, attacks on security personnel and kidnappings, the CTD said. Authorities said they were working to identify the second militant killed in the operation.

The CTD added that intelligence-based operations would continue in the province with the aim of eliminating terrorism. No further details about the timing of the operation, the exact location within Bannu district, or the identity of the second militant were immediately provided.

Bannu district, located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa near the border with Afghanistan, has seen repeated security operations in recent years. Pakistani security agencies have regularly reported conducting intelligence-based operations against armed groups in the region.

The statement did not specify whether any security personnel were injured during the operation, nor did it name the units that took part in the joint action. The CTD described the operation as part of ongoing efforts against militancy in the province.

According to Mehr News, citing a report by Xinhua, the operation followed intelligence indicating that the militants were preparing a significant attack. The CTD said its operations would continue across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.