Armed clashes in Lakki Marwat erupted when militants linked to Fitna al-Khawarij (the term use by Pakistan Army for the hardline militant group Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan) attempted to infiltrate the Takhti Khel area, triggering strong resistance from local tribes and a coordinated security operation by Lakki Marwat police, Bannu police and the Counter Terrorism Department.
The armed clashes in Lakki Marwat began after militants used quadcopter drones and sniper fire near Tap Takhti Khel, targeting local residents. A drone strike against civilians provoked immediate anger and mobilisation among the Takhti Khel tribe.
Mosque loudspeakers in at least four neighbouring villages broadcast urgent calls, urging men to defend the area. Hundreds of villagers responded, surrounded the militants and restricted their movement until police reinforcements reached the site.
Lakki Marwat and Bannu police, along with CTD teams and local peace committees, launched an overnight and daytime targeted operation in Takhti Khel, Regional Police Officer Bannu Sajjad Khan said. He said the operation aimed to dismantle militant hideouts and neutralise key commanders involved in the armed clashes in Lakki Marwat.
During the operation, police killed a notorious Khawarij commander Nusratullah son of Ataullah, who carried a head money. Officials said security forces killed six militants in total, injured several others, and successfully foiled more than four quadcopter drone attacks.
Hospital officials in Serai Naurang said seven injured people were brought in with gunshot and blast wounds, including one police officer and six members of the Takhti Khel tribe. Doctors described the condition of two injured persons as critical following the armed clashes in Lakki Marwat.
Police officials said militants repeatedly targeted civilian homes using drone copters, resulting in the martyrdom of one police official and one civilian, while several civilians sustained injuries during the violence.
In today’s search and clearance operation, police and CTD demolished a structure described by locals as a so-called migrant camp used as a major militant hideout. Authorities recovered the bodies of Khawarij elements from the site, while residents said the camp had sheltered dozens of militants.
Inspector General of Police Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Zulfiqar Hameed praised the Bannu Region police for their performance in the armed clashes in Lakki Marwat and commended their coordination with local communities.
Regional Police Officer Bannu said search operations continued in the area and its surroundings, adding that police would eliminate all militant hideouts to ensure lasting peace. He said the final round against Fitna al-Khawarij had begun and would be taken to its logical conclusion.
Officials reiterated that the state would ensure the protection of public life and property and would not allow any militant group to re-establish itself after the armed clashes in Lakki Marwat.
