Forces eliminate three terrorists in DI Khan

In a successful operation, the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and security forces eliminated three hardcore terrorists in an encounter in Dera Ismail Khan District.

Acting on intelligence, the CTD and security forces conducted the operation in Mohalla Ranizai, a troubled area in Kulachi Tehsil of DI Khan, police told The Express Tribune.

The terrorists, identified as TTP Commander Ikram and his two aides Juma Khan and Saud, were cornered in a safe house. They were given an opportunity to surrender, but instead, they opened fire on the CTD personnel. In the ensuing exchange of fire, all three terrorists were neutralized. The CTD official stated that these individuals were wanted for various terrorism-related cases, including attacks on police and security forces, bombings, and
extortion.

Following the operation, a large contingent of police conducted a door-to-door search in the area to ensure the safety and security of the residents. Tehsil Kulachi in DI Khan is known to be a hotbed of terrorism due to
the presence of the infamous Gandapur group of the TTP.

Background

The collapse of talks with the Tehreek- e -Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in 2022 led to the termination of the ceasefire and a resurgence of terrorist incidents across the country.

Glimpses of the TTP’s resurgence were witnessed in Swat and then more recently in Bannu. This fresh wave of terrorism has put K-P and its recently merged tribal districts in the spotlight as its populace will be amongst the worst affectees if the TTP and other militant groups, like the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), are not dealt with.

The TTP ’s renewed activities have particularly affected Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and its merged tribal districts, making the local population vulnerable to their actions.

According to Dr Syed Hussain Shaheed Soherwardi, Head of the Department of International Relations at the University of Peshawar, the year 2023 is expected to witness a rise in terrorism, especially in areas bordering Afghanistan such as North Waziristan, South Waziristan, Mohmand, and Bajaur.

When asked what had led to the increase in terrorist attacks in the country in 2022, Dr Soherwardi opined that it was our failure to realise that negotiations with any militant organisation never yield successful results.

“For instance, the negotiations with Maulana Sami-ul-Haq in Waziristan and Sufi Muhammad, commander of the Tehreek-e-Nafaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammadi in Swat, only led to an upsurge in terrorism,” said the department head.

Dr Soherwardi warned that delays in large-scale operations against terrorists could lead to an expansion of terror-related incidents in cities like Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, with severe consequences for the already
fragile economy.

In 2022, more than half of the terror incidents involved suicide bombings, IED attacks, hand grenade attacks, or targeted killings.

The Kucha Risaldar Mosque explosion in March was one of the most significant attacks, resulting in numerous casualties.

Counter-terrorism expert Dr Khurram Iqbal expressed concern that the border areas and tribal territories of K-P were regressing to the situation before 2013.