BANNU: Four militants were killed and five suspects were arrested during a joint intelligence-based operation in the Telgai mountain range of Wazir tehsil, police said on Thursday.

The operation was launched on the basis of intelligence reports and involved personnel from Bannu Police, the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), the Rapid Response Force (RRF) and other law enforcement agencies.

According to a police spokesperson, the militants opened fire on the advancing security personnel, triggering an exchange of fire that continued for nearly seven hours.

During the operation, four militants were killed, while five suspects were taken into custody and shifted to an undisclosed location for interrogation.

Police said the bodies of two militants were recovered from the site, while the fleeing militants managed to take away the bodies of their two associates.

Security forces also recovered two Kalashnikov rifles, another rifle, ammunition and other equipment from the area.

SHO Basia Khel Police Station Inspector Rashid Khan and Constable Wajid Khan sustained minor injuries during the exchange of fire. Both were shifted to hospital, where they were reported to be out of danger.

According to police, the operation was led by Bannu District Police Officer Captain (retd) Muhammad Farqan Bilal. Search and clearance operations are continuing in the area to eliminate any remaining militants.