Bannu District Police Officer (DPO) Captain (retd) Muhammad Furqan Bilal confirmed the killing of a high-profile militant commander during an intelligence-based operation (IBO).
Speaking to Dawn, the DPO identified the slain militant as Naseer Muhammad alias Geedarh, who carried a Rs6 million bounty on his head.
According to a police statement, the operation was being conducted under the supervision of DPO Bilal in areas falling within the jurisdiction of Domel police station. District police and Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) teams were taking part in the operation.
The statement said targeted operations were being carried out in Akbar Ali Khan Kili, Sada Khel, Sadarwan and adjoining areas based on intelligence reports regarding the presence and movement of militants.
Search and surveillance operations were also underway, while security had been tightened in various parts of Bannu township and Domel.
Police said further details regarding the operation would be released after its completion.
Terrorist violence has resurged in Pakistan since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in Kabul in 2021. Islamabad has repeatedly called on the Taliban administration to dismantle militant sanctuaries on Afghan soil, particularly those linked to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Pakistani officials say the requests have not been acted upon.
On Monday, district police, CTD and security forces conducted a joint IBO in the jurisdiction of Miryan police station in Bannu. The operation resulted in the killing of an unidentified militant during an exchange of fire and the arrest of 10 suspected individuals.
Last week, a captain was martyred while seven militants were killed during an IBO in Hangu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Separately, a security official said security forces killed key militant commander Jamidullah during an operation in the Jani Khel area of Bannu.
According to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies, violence linked to militant attacks and counter-terrorism operations increased sharply in July, making it the deadliest month of 2026. The month saw 205 deaths, including 112 security personnel.
