CTD arrests TTP men in Islamabad

Police officer says terrorists demanded extortion from businessmen, others

ISLAMABAD:

The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) of Islamabad police on Tuesday arrested three terrorists associated with the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Speaking at a press conference, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) CTD Jamil Zafar Malik said the arrested terrorists used to write letters to businessmen and owners of educational institutions, demanding extortion money.

“The terrorists demanded a total of Rs300 million extortion through 10 letters written to different people,” he said, adding they also wrote to the CTD threatening its officials with attacks if they acted against the suspects.

One of the arrested militants Bakht Sherren is a former TTP commander from Swat, he said adding the militants were supported by their accomplices in Afghanistan and used to wrote letters from there for extortion money.

The SSP said one of the letters written claimed the kidnapping of former Prime Minister Yousaf Reza Gillani’s son. 

Following directions of IGP Islamabad Qazi Jameel-ur-Rehman, he said had constituted teams to ensure arrest of the accused. The police teams while using scientific methods of investigations and modern technology in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies traced the accused. The other accused were identified as Jan Alam and Muhammad Ali.

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Meanwhile, in a news release, Islamabad police spokesman said the first letter was received from Peshawar GPO, second from Mingora Post Office, third letter Urdu Bazaar, Rawalpindi.

Similarly, the fourth letter was received Pirwadhai Rawalpindi, demanding Rs 50 million extortion, threatening serious consequences.

The fifth letter, dated 18.06.21, was received from Saidu Sharif Swat in which extortion of Rs 50 million were demanded and threats of dire consequences were made.

The sixth letter dated sent to a private school at Pirwadhai demanding to vacate the building within 5 days.

The seventh letter to a private school in Sector H-8 demanded an extortion of Rs 50 million.

They threatened the family of the school owner with abduction and suicide bombings to evacuate the building within five days.

The eighth and ninth letters were received from Mingora GPO Swat while the tenth letter was received at Raja Bazaar Rawalpindi.

The Islamabad Police Inspector-General appreciated the police teams and announced commendation certificates for the CTD team.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 27^th, 2021.