Five suspected militants were killed during an exchange of fire with the Counter-Terrorism Department near the Attock border area in Pakistan’s Punjab on Tuesday, officials said.
According to a CTD spokesperson, the operation was launched on the basis of intelligence reports regarding the presence of militants in the area. The suspects allegedly opened fire when security personnel moved in, leading to a gun battle.
Officials said all five suspects were killed in the encounter and identified them as members of what security agencies describe as “Fitna-ul-Khawarij,” a term used for outlawed militant groups.
Security forces recovered suicide jackets, hand grenades, submachine guns, ammunition and explosives from the site following the operation.