QUETTA: The Balochistan Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) killed five alleged terrorists belong to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Aghbarg area of Quetta, the police confirmed on Thursday.
According a CTD statement, an operation was conducted following information extorted from an arrested TTP terrorist namely Naseebullah. During the course of investigation, the TTP operative revealed the presence of his accomplices in Quetta and divulged that they were “in advance planning of carrying out a terrorist activity in the provincial metropolis”.
“An operation was planned and terrorists were identified through information provided by the arrested accused who was nominated in FIR number 84-2023,” the statement said.
Elaborating on the details of the operation, the CTD statement said when police were setting up a security cordon outside the terrorists hideout, they resorted indiscriminate firing and attempted to escape. “Two terrorists tried to escape on a motorcycle but the raiding party took precautionary measures and retaliated,” it added. “Additional force was called in and the fleeing terrorists were contained.”
As a result, the CTD said, four TTP militants were killed, while the “arrested accused person” was severely injured by the firing of his associates.
“He was rushed to the hospital but he succumbed to his injuries,” it said, adding that a sizeable quantity of ammunition and explosives were recovered from the crime scene including one suicide jacket, five hand grenades, two pistols, one rifle, two motorcycles, and explosive material.
The statement highlighted that the killed alleged terrorists were involved in the killing of officials of the Eagle Squad and CTD in Kuchlak and Frontier Corps personnel on Kuchlak Bypass.
“This is a huge success for the CTD and law enforcement agencies as their efforts have prevented terrorists from carrying out another terror activity in Quetta,” it further said.
The statement concluded that further investigation was under way.
On Sep 2, the CTD said it had killed eight TTP and IS members in two intelligence-based operations conducted in Balochistan’s Quetta and Washuk districts on Saturday.
The counter-terror police had said the first operation was conducted in a mountainous area near Kurragi village of Basima tehsil in Washuk, a district bordering Iran.
As soon as counterterrorism officials cordoned off the area and launched the operation, the armed militants opened fire and lobbed hand grenades, prompting the raiding party to take positions and return fire.
“A heavy gun battle continued for an hour, resulting in the killing of five armed terrorists,” the CTD spokesperson had said, adding that the killed militants belonged to the outlawed TTP and had previously launched attacks on forces and citizens.
However, three militants had managed to escape under the cover of darkness.
