SWAT, July 25, 2025 — Three most-wanted terrorists and senior operatives of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were eliminated in a successful joint operation carried out by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police and the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) in the Barikot tehsil of Swat district on Friday.
Over the past several months, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa—particularly the districts of Bannu, Lakki Marwat, and Bajaur—has witnessed a spike in militant attacks targeting police installations and personnel. In response, the state has ramped up its counterterrorism efforts.
In a statement released Friday, KP Police confirmed the killing of three high-value TTP militants, terming it a “major success” for the CTD. “Three key enemies of regional peace have been neutralized in Barikot,” the statement read, referring to the slain militants as part of the “Fitna al-Khawarij”—a term the state uses for TTP elements.
Among those killed was Ajmal alias Waqas, a resident of Malook Abad, accused in at least nine terrorism cases, including the targeted killings of Village Defence Council members. He carried a bounty of Rs2 million.
The second was Matiullah, also known as Ishaq and Junaid, son of Ibrat Shah from Shangla district. He was wanted in two terrorism-related cases.
The third was identified as Rahimullah Rehmani alias Rohullah, son of Amanullah, originally from Sheray in Afghanistan’s Nuristan province. He too was facing charges in two separate terrorism cases.
“These militants were involved in deadly attacks on security forces and targeted killings of police personnel,” the KP Police added. “This operation dismantled a key terror network supported by external funding. The group was also behind IED attacks and extortion activities.”
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Malakand Regional Police Officer Sher Akbar Khan called the operation a severe blow to the TTP’s operational structure in Swat and nearby areas. “We remain committed to eliminating Fitna al-Khawarij,” he said.
Swat District Police Officer Muhammad Umar Khan assured that intelligence-based operations will continue throughout the district. “Security has been tightened across all entry and exit points of Swat to prevent infiltration,” he stated. “We will not allow anyone to sabotage Swat’s peace.”
KP Inspector General Zulfiqar Hameed also commended the regional police and CTD, vowing intensified operations to ensure lasting peace in the province.
Since the TTP unilaterally ended its ceasefire with the Pakistani government in November 2022, the country has seen a surge in terror activity, especially in KP and Balochistan. Most attacks have targeted law enforcement personnel and security forces.
Just a day earlier, a police official was martyred in an attack in Karak, while another late-night assault on a police station in Bannu’s Basyakhel area was successfully repelled.