Three terrorists killed in Turbat IBO: ISPR

Two TTP militants gunned down in Lower Dir

RAWALPINDI/ LOWER DIR:

The security forces on Thursday killed three terrorists and recovered a cache of arms and ammunition during an intelligence based operation (IBO) that was initiated to clear their hideout in Turbat.

According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the slain terrorists were involved in firing incidents on security forces and civilians, besides planting of improvised explosive devices on Turbat-Hoshab Road in general area Gishkore.

The military’s media wing said that as a result of continuous intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) of the area, a location of terrorists was identified and security forces were “heli-inserted”.

While establishment of blocking positions to cut the escape routes was under way, the terrorists opened fire at the security forces.

It added that after heavy exchange of fire, the three terrorists were killed, while a cache of arms and ammunition, including IEDs, were recovered.

"The security forces, in step with the nation, remain determined to thwart such attempts aimed at sabotaging peace, stability, and progress of Balochistan," the ISPR added.

Separately in Lower Dir, the police and Counter Terrorism Department officials gunned down two Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan terrorists in the Talash area.

Lower Dir DPO Tariq Iqbal while addressing a new conference at his office, along with CTD SP Amjad Khan and Headquarters DSP Fakhar Alam, said that TTP terrorists Hafeezullah and Burhanuddin opened fire at a police party in the Talash area of Lower Dir in the wee hours of Thursday. Upon receiving the information, he said, a heavy contingent of police and CTD reached the scene and started a search operation where the terrorists threw a hand grenade at the police. Luckily, the hand grenade failed to explode, after which the police surrounded the terrorists and the two terrorists were killed on the spot by police firing.

According to DPO Iqbal, both terrorists belonged to the TTP and were involved in the killing of traffic police officer Bakht Zameen at Talash Bazaar on April 4. “More than a hundred suspects involved in the murder of traffic police officer were arrested.”

DPO Iqbal said that both the terrorists were very experienced, trained, as well as expert target killers and both were close relatives.

He said the terrorists’ relatives collected the bodies lying at a local hospital after which they were buried in their native area.

(With input from APP)