CTD foils terror attack in Peshawar

Constable martyred in exchange of fire with suicide attackers

PESHAWAR:

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) on Thursday foiled a major terrorist attack in Peshawar, killing one terrorist during an intelligence-based operation in the Garhi Sherdad area of Warsak Road.

According to a CTD statement, the department had received "credible intelligence" that three suicide attackers had entered the provincial capital and were preparing to target a sensitive installation.

Acting on the information and following a detailed technical analysis, CTD teams, district police and personnel from a relevant intelligence agency launched an operation in the area.

The area was cordoned off and monitored with the help of drones during the operation. The terrorists opened fire on the CTD personnel, leading to a gunbattle.

The CTD said Constable Muhammad Afaq was martyred while three other personnel were injured in the exchange of fire.

One of the terrorists reached a rooftop and opened fire on the CTD team while attempting to escape. The personnel returned fire and killed him, the statement said.

A search and clearance operation was underway to apprehend the remaining two terrorists, while additional security personnel had been deployed in the area. The search operation was also being expanded in view of possible threats.

The operation was supervised by the K-P CTD additional inspector general.

Investigators traced the terrorist network involved in the attack on Kohat Police Lines, according to officials familiar with the probe.

Officials said a joint CTD team made progress in the investigation and traced the network behind the attack.

According to the investigators, two terrorist organisations had jointly planned the attack on the Kohat Police Lines. The attackers intended to free their associates being held at the CTD compound.