Islamabad imambargah attack mastermind killed

PESHAWAR:

Five terrorists of the outlawed Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) were killed in an encounter with Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) personnel near Shamshatoo Camp on the outskirts of Peshawar on Thursday.

The CTD said an SMG, four pistols, two hand grenades, five magazines, a locally made improvised explosive device (IED) and a large quantity of ammunition were recovered from the slain militants.

Two of the militants were identified through identity cards recovered from their possession. One was identified as Imran, son of Dilawar Khan, resident of Tarkho Katkoot, Mamund tehsil of Bajaur district, while another was identified as Shahidullah, son of Miraj, resident of Sheikh Baba Charta in Upper Mohmand. The identities of the remaining three militants were being ascertained.

The CTD identified Imran, alias Abdullah, Bilal and Abu Bakar as highly wanted terrorists allegedly involved in 20 cases of bomb blasts, target killings and other terrorist activities in Peshawar and other districts.

According to the department, Imran was a mastermind behind IED and vehicle-borne IED attacks, target killings of police officers and political leaders, and suicide attacks against police and security forces.

The CTD further alleged that Imran was involved in the killings of Maulana Khan Zeb, Senator Hidayatullah and Rehan Zeb. It said he had allegedly been present at the scene with other militants and opened fire on Rehan Zeb.

The department said Imran was also the mastermind of the February 6 suicide attack on an Imambargah in Tarlai, Islamabad, and was wanted by the Islamabad CTD in the case.

According to the CTD, Imran had arranged a suicide jacket from Bajaur for the Tarlai attack and transported the suicide bomber from Nowshera to Tarlai. Shahidullah allegedly conducted reconnaissance for the attack and identified the target, Imambargah.

At least 32 people were killed and around 169 others injured when a suicide bomber struck Imambargah Khadijah al-Kubra during Friday prayers in February this year.