ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - The Iraqi military on Friday conducted a "specialized mission" in Kirkuk's Pirde (Altun Kupri) that resulted in the killing of three suspected "terrorists" and resulted in the capture of an individual accused of transporting them.

Loud blasts were heard in the area on Friday evening, with Iraq's Security Media Cell issuing a statement affirming that units under the Kirkuk Operations Command carried out a mission at 8:00 pm local time that included a "precise airstrike" by Army aviation forces.

"The operation resulted in the killing of three terrorists, and the individual responsible for transporting them was also apprehended," the statement continued. "Security forces are currently continuing thorough search and inspection operations in the area."

The New Region's correspondent learned from sources that the individuals targeted by the security forces were Islamic State (ISIS) members, with video footage from near the scene recording heavy gunfire, blasts, and armored vehicles.

Iraqi security forces on Friday carried out an operation against suspected Islamic State (ISIS) members in Kirkuk’s Pirde (Altun Kupri), where explosions and gunfire were heard as military vehicles moved through the area The Security Media Cell said an airstrike killed three suspected ISIS members and led to the arrest of an individual accused of transporting them, with search operations continuing in the area

— The New Region (@thenewregion) November 13, 2026

Anti-ISIS operations occur on a frequent basis in Kirkuk province, with security forces seeking to track down cells responsible for hit-and-run attacks and prevent them from gaining a foothold in the province's hinterlands.

In late September, controversy erupted in Pirde after the Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service (ICTS) killed two Kurdish youths during an anti-ISIS operation, with the service having to retract its initial statement and admitting that the pair were civilians and not associated with the extremist group as initially claimed.

Murad Zana was one of the youths killed during the operation, while Mohammed Hemin later succumbed to his wounds while in ICTS custody.

ISIS took control of swathes of Syrian and Iraqi territory in 2014, announcing its self-proclaimed caliphate with the city of Mosul as its capital. They were territorially defeated with assistance from the US-led coalition forces in Iraq by 2017 and in Syria by 2019.

Despite its territorial defeat, the group continued to pose a threat to Iraq’s national security through sporadic hit-and-run operations.