Security forces launched a follow-up operation after a multi-directional attack on the Khalil Shaheed Post during the night of Sept 25-26, according to security sources.
The sources said a group affiliated with Fitna-al-Hindustan (FAH), led by commander Asad Bolani and accompanied by another commander identified as Rafique, carried out a coordinated firing attack and attempted to assault the post.
The attack was repelled by security personnel, with the militant group suffering casualties. The exchange of fire continued for around three hours before the attackers withdrew.
Security forces subsequently established an ambush along the attackers’ likely withdrawal routes, which remained in position until first light. Later, three counter-terrorism teams joined the operation and launched a search between Digari X and Khalil Shaheed Post to locate members of the group believed to be hiding in the area.
At around 4pm, two suspects carrying a body were spotted moving away from a vehicle. Security personnel engaged them, killing both, the sources said.
During a sanitisation operation at around 5:20pm, troops recovered another militant’s body, which had reportedly been abandoned during an earlier attempt by the group to retrieve it.
Security forces also apprehended 17 suspects during the operation based on information obtained from intelligence teams. The suspects are being questioned for further leads, according to the sources.
At around 7pm, three counter-terrorism personnel carrying ammunition came under attack while travelling between Khalil Shaheed Post and Digari X.
The team cleared the first ambush but was targeted again about one kilometre away. An RPG-7 struck one of the vehicles, damaging its tyres.
The vehicle continued moving despite the damage, while all personnel remained safe, the sources said.
Overall, four bodies were recovered and 17 suspects were apprehended during the operation.
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