MARDAN: Security forces carried out a successful operation against terrorist elements in the Shamuzo area of Katlang Tehsil, Mardan district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, eliminating several militants, sources confirmed.
Following the operation, relatives of the slain terrorists and local residents staged a protest, blocking the Swat Expressway. However, after successful negotiations between the district administration and the protesters, the motorway was reopened for traffic.
Deputy Commissioner Dr. Azmatullah Wazir, District Police Officer (DPO) Zahoor Babar Afridi, Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) Zarshad Anjum, Mufti Hammad Yousafzai, and other elders participated in the discussions. As a result, all demands of the protesters were accepted, leading to the conclusion of the demonstration. Mufti Hammad Yousafzai, District General Secretary of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI), confirmed the end of the protest.
According to sources, the intelligence-based operation was conducted on the morning of March 29 in the Babuzo area of Katlang. Several militants belonging to the extremist group Fitna-ul-Kharij were killed in the raid. Reports indicate that these terrorists were planning a major attack during Eid.
Local facilitators of the terrorists were also neutralized during the operation, sources added. The militants had established hideouts in the mountainous region of Katlang, which were targeted in three separate locations.
A Rescue 1122 spokesperson confirmed that the bodies of the nine individuals killed in the operation were handed over to the Rescue 1122 medical team for transportation to Type D Hospital in Katlang.
Deputy Commissioner Dr. Azmatullah Wazir stated that the district administration is reaching Katlang Hospital to oversee further necessary measures.
