Four Da’ish terrorists killed in Pak-Afghan border IBO

Punjab CTD conducts 30 operations, arrests four Da’ish terrorists

LAHORE/ BANNU:

Four wanted terrorists were killed during an intelligence based operation (IBO) carried out by the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and security forces near the Afghanistan border on Saturday.

According to a statement issued by the CTD on Saturday, the operation was conducted near the border area where terrorists identified as commander Mohammad Daud, son of Mohammad Yaqoob, Abdullah, son of Khan Gul, and Mohammad Laiq, son of Piyao Din, were killed. The identity of the fourth slain terrorist could not be ascertained.

It said that all terrorists belonged to Dai'sh and were involved in terrorist activities, targeted killing, hand grenade attacks, bomb blasts and attacks on security forces.

Two hand grenades, as many Kalashnikovs with six magazines, two pistols, dozens of cartridges, identity cards, Pakistani currency, different types of cards, watches and other items were recovered from the possession of the slain terrorists.

According to details, the Bannu region CTD received information at night that a Da’ish IS-KP terrorist formation was planning to cross into Pakistan from the Afghanistan border and carry out terrorist attacks.

After confirming the information, a CTD special team and security forces immediately got ready and organised an IBO near the Pak-Afghan border hilly area in Dardoni within the limits of Ghulam Khan police station in North Waziristan district’s boundary.

As per the report, six suspected armed farmers, who looked like terrorists, crossed the border and entered the Pakistani territory.

An encounter ensued as terrorists on sighting the CTD personnel and security forces started firing.

The CTD and security forces personnel who were present with pre-planning also fired in retaliation.

The firing continued for an hour and as soon as it stopped, a search and clearance operation was carried out and four terrorists were found dead while other terrorists managed to escape by crossing the border.

The IBO was safe from any loss of life due to pre-planning and excellent policing tactics.

The killed terrorists were also involved in the bomb blast at Wazir police station.
Separately, the Punjab CTD arrested four alleged terrorists during IBOs across the province.

A CTD spokesperson said that during 30 IBOs, 30 suspects were interrogated, out of which four suspected terrorists were arrested, he added.

Weapons, explosives and other prohibited materials were recovered from their possession, he added.

The arrested accused included Danish, Muhammad Raziq Afridi, Muhammad Muzaffar Mehmood and Hafiz Zahid Mehmood, the spokesperson said, adding that they all belonged to various banned organisations, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and others. Four FIRs were registered against the arrested persons, he added.

The spokesperson said that 2,672 grammes of explosives, primacord eight feet, five detonators, a pistol (30-bore) with seven bullets, a battery, five pamphlets, a book, four stickers, two receipt books, three magazines, five cards of the banned organisation, a motorcycle (Honda 125), and Rs38,200 in cash were recovered from their possession.

During this week, the CTD conducted 351 combing operations with the help of local police and law enforcement agencies, he said, adding that during the operations, 14,265 persons were checked, out of which 46 suspects were arrested, 42 FIRs registered and 33 recoveries were made.