Terrorist commander with Rs6m bounty killed in Bannu IBO

Naseer Mohammad, aka Geedar, two other terrorists eliminated in CTD-police op

MIRANSHAH:

Three terrorists, including a highly wanted terrorist commander carrying a Rs6 million bounty on his head, were killed during a joint intelligence-based operation (IBO) by police and the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) in Bannu on Thursday, while an operation continued in Domel.

The terrorist commander, identified as Naseer Mohammad alias Geedar, was killed during the operation in the jurisdiction of Domel police station, according to police.

Bannu District Police Officer (DPO) Capt (retd) Mohammad Furqan Bilal confirmed the killing of the terrorists, including Geedar, to The Express Tribune, saying they were eliminated during an IBO.

Police said Rs6 million had been set as a bounty for information leading to the terrorist commander's capture and that he was among the most wanted terrorists in the area, adding that further details of the operation would be released after its completion.

According to police, joint teams of the police and CTD, operating under the supervision of Bannu DPO, were conducting the operation in Akbar Ali Khan Kali, Sadakhel, Sadar Wan and adjoining areas.

The teams were searching for terrorists and their alleged hideouts on the basis of intelligence reports. Search and surveillance operations had also been intensified, while several suspected locations were being searched.

Security was tightened in different parts of Domel and Bannu Township to prevent any possible terrorist activity, police said.

Meanwhile, two bullet-riddled bodies were recovered near Bahmai Pump on Sadakhel Road in the Domel area.

Police sources said the two men appeared to have been shot dead. They were identified as residents of the Mamd Khel Wazir area.

Following the recovery of the bodies, relatives and local residents staged a sit-in on the Miranshah Road, placing the bodies on the road and causing tension in the area.

Chief Warden of Civil Defence Masoom Wazir also reached the site after being informed about the incident.

The protesters alleged that the two men had been detained about 20 days ago during an operation by personnel of a local police peace committee and were subsequently shifted to the police lines. The families alleged that the two men were killed on Wednesday evening and their bodies were dumped by the roadside early Thursday morning.

During the protest, the demonstrators alleged that several people were taken into custody during various operations in the area and their bodies were later recovered from different locations. They also claimed that, in some cases, families were not informed about the circumstances or reasons behind the deaths of their loved ones.

The families demanded an impartial and transparent investigation into the deaths, including an inquiry into the alleged detention of the two men and the circumstances surrounding their subsequent deaths.

They demanded that anyone found responsible be punished in accordance with the law.

The protesters warned that they would take the bodies to Peshawar and stage a protest if justice was not provided and an investigation was not launched.

Police have so far not issued an official response to the allegations regarding the alleged detention and killing of the two men.

Meanwhile, police officials said the IBO was continuing in different parts of Domel.