Peshawar Cantt: Army commandos foil hostage-taking bid by terrorists

Two security personnel, three terrorists killed in seven-hour-long operation. PHOTO: EXPRESS/FILE

Nine high-profile militants are being interrogated at the intelligence facility located in the cantonment area, sources in the police and military told The Express Tribune.

“The terrorists were being shifted from one block to another and they got hold of an automatic rifle during this process,” said an official on condition of anonymity.

The militants made two sentries hostage and attempted to take control of the building and escape, the official said.

“Two security officials were killed in the ensuing combat,” the official said, adding that a large number of security personnel surrounded the Peshawar cantonment following the incident, and diverted traffic from the roads leading to the area of operation.

“Army commandoes were called in and a several hours’ long operation was launched during which the building was cleared successfully,” the official added.

Another security official said there were several prisoners inside the facility but only four were involved in the incident.

“Three of them were Afghan refugees and one local suspect; during the operation three of the militants were killed while one of them is seriously injured,” the official said.

“Initially, those killed were identified as Wali, Haroon and Khaliq, but further information is awaited,” he added.

Army troops surrounded the entire area for more than seven hours and their cordon ended at 4 in the morning. The blockade whipped up widespread panic in the area.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 8^th, 2012.