A major ambush by terrorists on a counter-terrorism department (CTD) party transferring arrested militants from Miranshah to Bannu was beaten back, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Tuesday.
The terrorists belonging to banned TTP were armed with latest weapons, targeted the CTD convoy in an attempt to get freed their comrades being transported to Bannu.
The CTD team fought bravely and did not let the attackers succeed in their mission.
In the meanwhile, security forces reinforcements rushed to the ambush site which resulted in a hard-fought gunbattle in which four attackers and three detained militants were killed. A number of government vehicles were also damaged in the firefight.
Three arrested terrorists were killed in the firing by their would-be “rescuers” while six others managed to escape from the scene making good use of darkness and bushes.
Three of the slain terrorists were identified as Irshadullah, Abdur Rahman and Mehar Din who were wanted by the CTD in a number of terrorism cases.
The killed terrorists had been involved in grenade strikes and target killings of police and security forces and were also behind hand-grenade hit on Cantt Police Station and target killing of Constable Iftikhar.
Four SMGs with ammunition and other weapons were also recovered from the possession of terrorists.
Heavy contingents of security forces and local police later launched a search and clearance operation in the area to hunt down the remaining terrorists.
Attack on DI Khan post foiled
A terrorist attack on a police checkpost was also foiled in Dera Ismail Khan, leaving a cop injured in the firefight.
When the policemen retaliated the terrorists who used modern weapons ran away.
Reporters Ahmad Mansoor and Sajid Khan