ISLAMABAD, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Six militants were killed during a joint counterterrorism operation carried out by security forces in Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, police said on Sunday.
The operation was conducted in Kohat district after the Counter Terrorism Department and Kohat police received intelligence about militants planning a major attack, district police officer Shahbaz Elahi said.
Security forces launched a search-and-strike operation, during which the militants opened fire, triggering a gun battle.
All six militants were killed in the exchange of fire, and weapons were recovered from their possession, the official said.
Authorities have cordoned off the area, and a search operation is underway. ■