At least seven militants have been killed in a security operation in north-western Pakistan, according to security officials.
The operation took place in the Ghora Baka Khel area of Bannu district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, a region that has seen a rise in militant activity in recent months, Caliber.Az reports, citing Pakistani newspaper.
Security sources said intelligence reports indicated that militants were moving weapons and explosives in a vehicle near a government school. Acting on the information, security forces reportedly used a quadcopter drone to target the vehicle.
Officials said the vehicle was carrying a large cache of weapons, including a heavy machine gun, rocket-propelled grenades and mortar shells. The resulting explosion destroyed the vehicle and killed all those inside, with initial reports suggesting between seven and eight militants were killed.
A search and clearance operation remains underway in the area, while investigations continue, security sources added.
The incident comes amid a broader increase in militant violence across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Earlier this week, suspected militants allegedly used a drone to drop explosive devices on a police station in Bannu, injuring two members of the Frontier Corps.
The district has witnessed several security incidents in recent months. Earlier in June, authorities reported the deaths of an alleged militant commander and two others in separate incidents, while militants were also accused of attempting to destroy a strategic bridge in the area.
Last month, clashes involving security forces, members of a local peace committee and militants left at least two police officers and two civilians dead. Officials said 25 militants were killed during the fighting.
Pakistan has experienced a resurgence in militant attacks in its north-western regions in recent years, prompting repeated security operations by the military and law enforcement agencies.
By Aghakazim Guliyev
