HANGU: At least nine terrorists affiliated with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were killed and eight others injured during a joint intelligence-based operation conducted by the police and Tall Scouts in the Doaba area of Hangu district on Saturday.
The operation began in the early hours in Zargiri, Shinaori, and adjacent areas following credible intelligence reports about the presence of TTP operatives involved in recent terrorist incidents.
According to a police spokesperson, four law enforcement personnel were injured during the fierce gun battle. Among them were Hangu District Police Officer (DPO) Khalid Khan, Doaba Station House Officer (SHO) Nabi Khan, a security officer, and the in-charge of the Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS). All injured personnel were swiftly moved to nearby medical facilities.
Kohat Regional Police Officer (RPO) Abbas Majeed Marwat confirmed that two police and two Frontier Corps (FC) vehicles came under fire during the joint operation led by Hangu Police, the Pakistan Army, and the Tall Scouts. He stated that nine terrorists — reportedly foreign nationals — were neutralized, while several others were injured.
The RPO added that DPO Khalid Khan, the Tall Scouts wing commander, and SHO Nabi Khan were among those injured in the operation. The DPO underwent surgery and is now in stable condition, while the SHO suffered minor injuries and remains under medical observation.
He highlighted that counterterrorism operations in densely populated areas are often limited due to public safety concerns and urged residents of Doaba, Tall, and nearby areas to cooperate with security forces.
DSP Amjad Khan confirmed that a clearance operation is ongoing to ensure all remaining threats in the area are eliminated. Hospital sources reported that DPO Khalid Khan sustained four bullet wounds and was moved to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Kohat, where he is currently stable.
