Two ‘TTP’ militants killed in Lahore

LAHORE: Two suspected militants of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were killed in an intelligence-based operation by the Punjab police's Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) in the Shahdara neighbourhood of Lahore.

According to the CTD spokesperson, the department’s Sheikhupura wing had set up a picket near the Saggian Bridge, after receiving a tip-off that militants were planning to enter Lahore to orchestrate a terror attack.

Almost an hour after midnight, the team spotted four motorcyclists heading towards the bridge, upon seeing them the officials signalled them to stop. However, instead of complying with the orders they opened indiscriminate fire on the police and entered a nearby street, in a bid to avoid arrest.



The police team followed the suspects and a heavy exchange of fire took place between them and the militants. During the exchange, two of the suspects were killed, while the other two managed to flee. However, no CTD official was injured in the incident.

On receiving information of the encounter, a heavy contingent of police also reached the spot and cordoned off the area. After the firing stopped, the police searched the dead militants and recovered explosives, prima cords, detonators, a Kalashnikov, a pistol and ammunition from their custody.

An operation was also launched in search of the fleeing suspects, while the bodies of the suspects were shifted to a morgue for an autopsy.



The CTD’s initial investigation suggests that the suspects belonged to the banned militant outfit TTP.

Meanwhile, Punjab Rangers, along with the CTD, police and intelligence agencies carried out a joint operation in the surrounding areas of Kharian and Sarai Alamgir on Sunday night and arrested 20 suspects.

During the operation, the Rangers also recovered a huge quantity of illegal weapons, including bulletproof jackets from the suspects’ custody. Further investigations were underway.