CTD arrests ‘TTP commander’ in Ittehad Town raid

The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) of Sindh Police claimed on Wednesday that they have arrested a commander of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) during a raid in Ittehad Town.

A Kalashnikov assault rifle, two hand grenades, RDX explosives, and an improvised explosive device (IED) were also recovered from the possession of the suspected TTP operative identified by CTD as Muhammad Shoaib.

According to investigators, Shoaib has confessed to planning a suicide attack on a Muharram mourning procession in Orangi Town, disclosing his collaboration with accomplice Ishaq for the planned terrorist act.

He also admitted his involvement in the brutal killing of 16 coal mine workers in Khyber Agency, whose bodies were discovered in a mass grave after they failed to meet ransom demands.

While briefing media persons, CTD DIG Asif Ijaz Shaikh said that Shoaib's son, Zakaullah, was killed in an encounter with the Pakistan Army. The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government had previously announced a Rs2 million reward for information leading to Shoaib's capture. Regarding the murder of DSP Ali Raza over the weekend, DIG Shaikh said that while the officer had security, he was unaccompanied at the time of the deadly attack on him. Investigations into his murder are ongoing, with various aspects under consideration.

DIG Shaikh also disclosed that two assailants involved in an attack on foreigners in Landhi have been eliminated while efforts underway to trace their facilitators.

Addressing security concerns during Muharram, DIG Shaikh assured that while there are general security apprehensions, no specific threats have been identified targeting particular locations.