At least five terrorists linked with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were killed in an intelligence-based operation in the Tirah Valley of Khyber district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

According to local sources, the operation took place late Saturday night in the Mirkhel area. Among the dead were two key Afghan militants who reportedly worked under the orders of local TTP commander Abu Zar.

The three militants who were identified include Ehsan Badri and Sohaib Lazri, both Afghan nationals, and Umar Sangari from Khyber district. Sources said that funeral prayers for the two Afghan militants were later held in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province.

Local sources added that all five TTP members were involved in an attack on a security checkpoint a few days earlier in the Bar Qambar Khel area of Bara. Security forces had successfully foiled that attack. According to the sources, the bodies of the five terrorists were later found inside a cave where they were believed to be hiding.

It was also learned that these militants were known for recording videos of beheadings and posting the horrific images on social media.