The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) on Wednesday eliminated three militants belonging to Fitna Al-Khawarij during an intelligence-led operation in Mardan. The CTD recovered a cache of weapons and initiated a search operation in the vicinity.
Details of the Operation
According to the CTD, the operation was carried out in the Shabqadar area based on intelligence reports indicating the presence of militants. During the raid, a gunfight erupted between the terrorists and law enforcement personnel, resulting in the deaths of all three militants.
Identification of Slain Terrorists
The CTD identified two of the slain terrorists as Hayat Khan alias Hayatullah, who was wanted in connection with the targeted killing of Maulana Izzatullah, and Asim, allegedly involved in targeted killings of police personnel and religious leaders in Khyber District. Officials stated that the identification process for the third terrorist was ongoing.
Security forces recovered three Kalashnikov rifles, other firearms, and hand grenades from the possession of the slain terrorists, according to the CTD. They added that a search operation was continuing to track down any accomplices who may have escaped. Security measures have also been tightened in the area.
Earlier Operation in Attock
A day earlier, the Punjab CTD killed five terrorists during an intelligence-based operation in a border area near Attock. The department had received credible intelligence that terrorists present in the area had finalized plans to carry out attacks in different parts of Punjab, a CTD spokesperson said.
Details of the Attock Operation
Providing further details, the spokesperson said that a raid was conducted on the reported hideout, during which the suspects opened fire on law enforcement personnel, triggering an exchange of fire. As a result, all five terrorists were killed. The slain terrorists were affiliated with Fitna Al-Khawarij.
A suicide jacket, three SMGs, two hand grenades, and ammunition were recovered from their possession, the spokesperson added. Identification of the terrorists is underway, while a search operation in adjoining areas has been launched. The spokesperson also urged citizens to report suspicious activity on the CTD helpline.
