ISLAMABAD, June 17 (Xinhua) -- Three militants were killed during an intelligence-based operation conducted by the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) in Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the police said in a statement on Wednesday.
The operation was carried out in the Shakardara Road area of Kohat district after security forces received intelligence that militants were planning a terrorist attack and had established a checkpoint to obstruct the movement of law enforcement personnel.
According to police, the militants opened fire on the security team upon its arrival, triggering an exchange of gunfire. Three of them were killed in the operation, while several of their accomplices managed to escape.
Security forces recovered three assault rifles, nine magazines and a large quantity of ammunition from the dead militants, the statement said, adding that efforts are underway to identify the deceased.
A search operation has been launched in the area to apprehend the fleeing suspects. ■
