CTD foils IS-K plot to attack Fazl, Aimal
In Punjab, CID has already been changed to the ‘Counter Terrorism Department’ (CTD) and started working under its umbrella. PHOTO: FILE
The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) foiled a major terrorist attack in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), arresting two would-be suicide bombers from Peshawar, who intended to target two top politicians in the provinces, police said on Friday.
Senior Superintendent of Police, CTD, Capt (retd) Najamul Hasan told a press conference that the duo were arrested through an intelligence-based operation (IBO), adding that two suicide jackets and three hand grenades and pistols were recovered from their possession.
“Their first target was Aimal Wali Khan [the K-P provincial president of the Awami National Party (ANP)], and the second target was Maulana Fazlur Rehman [the Amir of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F)],” Hasan told reporters.
Read CTD nabs suspected killer of cop
Hasan said that the two terrorists belonged to the Islamic State-Khurasan (IS-K) – also known as Daesh-Khorasan – and were well trained in the use of all types of weapons. “They had received training in suicide attacks in the Paktia province Afghanistan sometime in June last year,” he added.
The SSP identified the attackers as Adil Khan alias Amin, a resident of Aziz Khel, Matni, Peshawar and Tahir Khan alias Abbas, a resident of Landi Kotal. He added that both the terrorists were detained from Peshawar.
“Daesh-Khorasan sent some trained terrorists to attack sensitive places and political personalities in Pakistan by preparing suicide bombers to carry out suicide attacks in Peshawar and nearby areas,” the SSP said.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 13th, 2024.