Eight ‘militants’ killed in DG Khan shootout

Terrorists were planning to attack officials of LEAs and other sensitive installations

DERA GHAZI KHAN: Eight militants, allegedly linked with the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, al Qaeda and Da’esh were found dead after an exchange of fire with the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) officials late Thursday night in Tomni area.

CTD sources claimed that they had received ‘information’ regarding the presence of eight to 11 militants in Tomni area, within the jurisdiction of Sakhi Sarwar police station. They said the militants were planning to attack officials of law-enforcement agencies and other sensitive installations in the province.

The spokesman said the CTD officials raided the place to arrest them.

“As the CTD officials challenged and warned them to surrender, instead of following the orders, terrorists started firing at the police party. The police fired in self-defence. After sometime, when the firing stopped, eight terrorists were found dead at the scene, all killed in firing by their own accomplices,” they said.

“Three militants fled the scene, taking the benefit of darkness.” The CTD claimed to have recovered three hand grenades, one automatic rifle, four pistols and bullets.

The deceased were identified as Khurram, Abdul Hakim, Abdul Jabbar, Shaukat, Latif, Bilal, Iftikhar and Rashid. The bodies have been shifted to Teaching Hospital for post-mortem.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 14^th, 2016.