The commander Qari Basit was killed in the Tarkhel area of Nowshera district during a clash between the militants and the security forces, the police officials confirmed.
District Police Officer (DPO) Nowshera Muhammad Hussain Khan, while briefing the media, said that the police acted against the terrorists on intelligence received by the militants who were apprehended earlier.
The clashes had been going on since Friday night and the security forces managed to arrest two other wanted militants during the operation. The Nowshera police had apprehended Saghir alias Abu Saeed and Zamar Gul alias Abu Musa from the Jaloba area in Pabbi.
The DPO informed that the terrorists opened fire at the police as soon as they were confronted. However, in the counter-attack by the police, Basit was killed while his accomplices managed to escape.
"He was wanted in several cases of murder, robbery and terrorism including killing of security persons," he said.
Basit escaped from Kohat jail in 2007 after he was convicted and imprisoned for 25 years. He then rose to the higher ranks amongst the TTP and targeted a number of police personnel to release the militants in custody, confirmed the DPO.
Sources said that Basit belongs to Kohat and was responsible for the logistic and transfer of funds to the militants.
A kalashnikov and two grenades were recovered from Basit. The DPO said that Basit was also known as Commander Jamaluddin and Janat Gul.
COMMENTS (12)
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Isn't he the first top terrorist killed since operations launched against TTP two years back ?
One down, and how many to go?
I dont know people live in their own fantasy world or they just like to comment what they like. First Pakistani Forces have been acting against TTP since long and this is just another little success the forces got which has nothing to do with Haqqani network or US pressure. However, few people as suggested US/India are doing a proxy on the basis for Tit for Tat would feel the punch of any such success.
good riddance.
@Roflcopter:
Actually US pressrue is working.
Well, let's see... This killing came amid the US pressure on Pakistan to crack down on Haqqani Network. Well, TTP is not US/Indian proxy as stated in the comment above but, yes, it is getting monetary support from RAW through Arab facilitators....
Let it be TTP or let it be Haqqani Network, both are against Pakistan and both need a very stern action as both plan to capture Pakistan and implement Taliban Shariah in the country.
Show no mercy
A top commander of TTP killed by police? In Nowshera? There is something not right with this news.
Another blow to US/Indian proxy.