Helicopter Raid in Former Insurgent Stronghold: Eight Militants Killed

Pakistani security forces, supported by military helicopters, conducted a raid in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, killing eight militant suspects. The operation targeted a militant hideout in Bannu, with a local commander among those killed. The raid is part of ongoing efforts against groups like the Pakistani Taliban.

In a high-stakes operation, Pakistani security forces, backed by military helicopters, launched a raid on a militant hideout on Wednesday, resulting in the deaths of eight suspects, police report.

The operation took place in Bannu, a district known as a former insurgent stronghold within the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, situated along the Afghanistan border. According to local police official Zahid Ullah, a local militant commander was among those killed.

This raid is part of continued efforts against the Pakistani Taliban, or Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), who stepped up assaults since the Afghan Taliban's power grab in 2021. Government forces have since intensified their campaigns against the TTP and other groups, including separatists in Balochistan.

(With inputs from agencies.)