The operation was conducted in the Shamshatoo Camp area of the provincial capital, according to a CTD spokesperson.

Among those killed was terrorist commander Imran, who was wanted in 20 terrorism cases. The CTD alleged that he was involved in the killings of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) leader Maulana Khan Zeb, Senator Hidayatullah and Rehan Zeb.

The department also identified Imran as the alleged mastermind of the suicide attack on the Tarlai Imambargah.

A bounty of Rs120 million had been announced for information leading to his capture, according to the CTD.

The operation also resulted in the recovery of a submachine gun, four pistols, two hand grenades and an improvised explosive device (IED), the spokesperson said.

Another militant killed in the operation was identified as Shahidullah. The CTD alleged that he had conducted reconnaissance for the Tarlai Imambargah suicide attack.

Security operations intensify in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

The CTD operation comes amid intensified security operations against militants in different parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), security forces killed at least 21 India-backed Fitna al-Khawarij militants in multiple engagements across the province between September 3 and 5.

In a separate operation, security forces killed 15 terrorists while preventing an infiltration attempt, according to the ISPR. Ten additional militants who had taken refuge in the area were later killed, bringing the total number of militants neutralised in the operation to 25, the military's media wing said.

KP and Balochistan remain violence hotspots

Pakistan has experienced a rise in militant activity, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, since 2021, when the Afghan Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan.

A report by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) identified the two provinces as the country's main hotspots for violence during the second quarter of 2026, with KP emerging as the worst-affected region.

The report said KP and Balochistan together accounted for nearly 96% of all violence-related fatalities recorded nationwide during the quarter.

KP recorded more than 61% of the deaths, with 475 fatalities, while Balochistan accounted for 34%, with 265 deaths.

KP also recorded the highest number of violent incidents, with 151 cases, representing 57% of the national total. Balochistan followed with 94 incidents, or 35%, highlighting the concentration of militant violence in the two provinces.