Terrorist killed in DI Khan operation

A notorious terrorist, wanted in more than 10 cases by law enforcement agencies, met his end in an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in the Dera Ismail Khan district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) on Thursday.

Security forces and police acted on credible intelligence that the infamous terrorist, Haibat Khan, was present in Kulachi. They initiated a thorough door-to-door search operation in the area, leading to the successful outcome. Haibat Khan had a substantial reward of six million rupees on his capture, dead or alive, a police official told The Express Tribune.

During the search operation, when security forces and police reached the house where the terrorist was hiding, Haibat Khan and his associates opened fire at the search party. In the ensuing exchange of gunfire, Haibat Khan was killed, while his aides managed to escape. Notably, Haibat Khan was wanted in 10 terrorism cases, making his elimination a significant achievement.

The official added that an AK-47 rifle and hand grenades were recovered from his possession.

In a related development, a day prior, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa police carried out a substantial crackdown on terror financing. They apprehended 13 individuals who were allegedly providing funds to banned terror outfits, including Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). These financiers, detained in various operations across Swabi, Mardan, and other districts, were responsible for funneling substantial sums of money, amounting to millions of rupees, to these outfits.

Director-General of the Counter Terrorism Finance Unit, Imran Shahid, emphasized that those clandestinely providing funds to banned outfits would face terror financing-related charges. He noted that the arrested financiers played a critical role in supporting the resurgence of terrorism in the province and tribal areas.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 6^th, 2023.