High-profile terrorist neutralized in DI Khan

DI KHAN/PESHAWAR:

In a significant development in the fight against terrorism, a high-profile terrorist was neutralized in an exchange of gunfire during an operation conducted by security forces and police in the DI Khan district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) on Tuesday.

The deceased, identified as hardcore terrorist Samiullah, had been a wanted fugitive, along with his associates, in connection with the killing of a police constable.

The operation was a joint effort involving the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and district police, demonstrating the government’s commitment to maintaining law and order.

The operation unfolded in a remote area of DI Khan where the four terrorists were believed to be hiding. Upon the arrival of the CTD team, one of the terrorists opened fire at the police, resulting in a retaliatory exchange of gunfire in which Samiullah was killed. Three of his accomplices managed to evade capture and fled the scene.

In a separate operation in Peshawar, six terrorists were apprehended, including four individuals affiliated with ISIS-K. The arrests were made in two distinct operations, reflecting the ongoing efforts to dismantle terrorist networks.

The CTD successfully apprehended two terrorists involved in terror financing through extortion from the business community.

The arrested individuals, identified as Afghan nationals Zaman Faiz and Sadullah, were active members of a terrorist group. They had been implicated in numerous cases of extortion, targeting businessmen and traders. The group had been particularly active in the Mohmand district of K-P.

These terrorists employed threatening phone calls to extort money from their victims, using fear tactics, including threats of violence and property damage.

Further investigation revealed their affiliation with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), with the extorted funds being channeled into financing terrorist activities, including the procurement of weapons and explosives.

In yet another successful operation, four members of ISIS-K were arrested. These individuals were wanted by the police in connection with ten cases, which included attacks targeting Sikh traders.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, September 27^th, 2023.