ISLAMABAD, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- Four militants were killed during an operation carried out by the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) of police in the Peshawar district of Pakistan's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Wednesday, said a statement.
Police said late Wednesday that the operation was conducted in the Budh Bair area on the outskirts of provincial capital Peshawar after intelligence reports indicated the presence of armed militants affiliated with a banned terrorist group.
According to the CTD, the militants, led by a commander identified as Tahir alias Muawiya from Khyber district, had allegedly been moving through the area to challenge the government's authority and carry out attacks.
During a search operation, the militants opened fire on the CTD team, triggering an exchange of gunfire that lasted about 20 to 30 minutes, said the statement.
The CTD said three submachine guns, a pistol, hand grenades, magazines, and ammunition were recovered from the militants.
Police added that an Afghan identity document was recovered from one of the militants. ■
