Peshawar, August 15, 2025 — In a decisive response to a wave of coordinated assaults across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) of KP Police carried out an intelligence-based, overnight operation in Peshawar, neutralizing three terrorists linked to the banned TTP-affiliated cell, Fitna al-Khawarij.
According to official reports, the militants had orchestrated 13 simultaneous attacks, including gunfire and grenade assaults on police stations, patrols, and checkposts across districts like Peshawar, Upper Dir, Lower Dir, Shangla, and Bannu. These assaults occurred on the eve of Pakistan’s 78th Independence Day and were widely seen as an attempt to undermine state authority.
During the crackdown in Peshawar, CTD operatives successfully eliminated the three terrorists. One of them was identified as Abdullah alias Jawad, an Afghan national already wanted in connection with serious infractions. The identities of the other two remain unconfirmed.
Weapons and explosive devices were seized at the scene, including:
M4 and M16 rifles
An SMG
A 2.5-kilogram improvised explosive device (IED)
Hand grenades and ammunition (125 rounds)
Read Top Stories
Multiple magazines and smartphones
Preliminary investigations indicate that the cell was responsible for at least 18 previous terror incidents in Peshawar, which resulted in numerous casualties among civilians and police.
The KP police credited the operation as a testament to “unwavering commitment, operational precision, and inter-agency coordination” in dismantling militant networks and restoring peace.
Reactions & Broader Context
During a visit to the affected region, KP Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed praised the courage and professionalism of the law enforcement forces, noting that despite the scale of the coordinated attacks, 80% of the incidents were successfully repelled.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur condemned the attacks, describing them as “cowardly”, and assured full support for the families of the martyred policemen. He pledged that their sacrifices “will be remembered in history.”