Counter terrorism: Nine ‘militants’ held, commander escapes

Captured men include militant medics, informants.

PESHAWAR:

Nine suspected militants were apprehended during a joint search operation launched by security forces in two areas of Frontier Region of Kohat on Friday, but a militant commander involved in several attacks on the peace militia managed to flee.

Sources in the security agencies told The Express Tribune that members of the Adezai and Badaber peace militias led by army personnel launched an operation in the Pakhi and Paridi areas of FR Kohat and arrested nine suspected militants, who were shifted to an undisclosed area for further investigation.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Dilawar Khan, a member of the Adezai peace militia, said they received information about the presence of Jangrez, a militant commander, late on Wednesday night. Jangrez was scheduled to hold a meeting with his informers, who also belonged to Adezai village.

“But we intercepted them near Yousufkhel and an exchange of gun fire ensued.” He added that two militants were killed, but Jangrez, who sustained bullet injuries, managed to flee.

Dilawar said they launched a search operation on Friday to arrest Jangrez, while adding that Jangrez apparently relocated to the Tor Chappar area of FR Kohat on Wednesday night.

Dilwar further said that the apprehended militants included some militant informants who had attended to Jangrez, along with other facilitators.

“Some of the militants we held were trained and had provided medication to the injured Jangrez, while some facilitated him in fleeing to FR Peshawar,” Dilawar added.

Security officials revealed that the operation was launched within the jurisdiction of Spina police station and all the suspected militants were handed over into the custody of the security forces.

A number of militant attacks have been reported from the Adezai area, where rockets are continuously being fired from Akakhel and adjoining tribal areas.

More than 60 militia men have so far been killed by militants, including the heads of the Adezai peace committee, Haji Abdul Malik and Israr Khan.

A recent suicide attack in the Shekhan area of Badber over Dilawar was foiled by committee members, with a suicide bomber being shot dead before he could trigger the explosives on his body.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 13^th, 2011.