Three TTP commanders among four killed in two Waziristan IBOs

ISPR says two terrorist commanders Molvi Mehboob and Mir Salam were close associates of Baitullah Mehsud

Security forces killed four terrorists, including three commanders linked to two factions of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), during two separate intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in North Waziristan’ Datakhel and South Waziristan’ Zoida areas, a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Sunday.

The military’s media wing, during intense exchange of fire, four terrorists including commanders Abdul Adam Zeb alias Dung (TTP’s Bismillah group), Molvi Mehboob alias Molvi and Mir Salam alias Anas (TTP’s Sajna group) were killed.

According to the official statement, Zeb remained involved in more than 20 terrorist activities against security forces, law enforcement agencies and local population since 2014 including improvised explosive device (IED) attacks, firing, attacks on government buildings, target killing, kidnapping for ransom, extortion and recruiting and organising terrorists in Muhammad Khel, Boya, Datakhel of North Waziristan and Zoida areas of South Waziristan.

The two terrorist commanders, Molvi Mehboob and Mir Salam, were close associates of Baitullah Mehsud and other TTP's terrorist commanders, the ISPR added.

They remained involved in the attacks on security forces and LEAs security check posts, military convoys, attack on Ladha Fort in 2007, IED attacks and other sabotage activities in South Waziristan.

On Saturday, security forces conducted two IBOs, killing at least eight terrorists including three commanders of banned TTP in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa's North Waziristan tribal district, according to the ISPR.

Later in January, Prime Minister Imran Khan announced launch of high-speed 3G and 4G mobile broadband in South Waziristan to spur technological development of the tribal districts.