CTD officials say 5 TTP men killed in operation

PESHAWAR: As people were worried after an attack on a police post in Karak, the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) on Monday said five terrorists were gunned down in an encounter in the district.

The recent attack on a police post in Bahaderkhel and the martyrdom of three policemen there triggered concerns among the public because Karak remained one of the most peaceful districts. Karak remained peaceful even during years when terrorism was at its peak in most parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa years back.

A couple of days after the attack on the police post in Bahaderkhel, the CTD said an exchange of fire took place with the terrorists in Karak district where five members of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were killed.

The officials said the CTD was informed about the presence of the members of outlawed TTP after which a joint operation was launched in Banda Daood Shah’s Mir Kalam area. They added an exchange of fire that continued for over an hour. After the firing stopped, CTD Kohat and district police launched a search and clearance operation in the area.

“During the search, the bodies of five TTP members were recovered. Heavy ammunition including RPG-7 rocket launchers, hand grenades and AK-47 rifles were recovered from them,” said an official, adding some of the members of the group escaped during firing.

Those killed in the encounter were identified as Muhammad Shoaib, brother of another militant Kaleem from Bannu, Wajdae alias Sangri of Karak, Sabil Khan of Domel Bannu, Badal Jan of Kohat and Shah Qiyaz of Karak.

The CTD officials said were wanted to police in attacks on Bahaderkhel Police Post, polio teams, attacks on Lachi Toll Plaza and FC Qila as well as Karak Bank robbery. The officials said a joint search operation was going on in the area to find the escaped terrorists. The CTD Kohat registered a case and started an investigation.

A grand jirga of elders and politicians of the district a day before gave three days to the armed groups to leave all parts of Karak or else the people would take action against them. The same stand was taken by the people in Swat and Lower Dir a couple of years back after which the situation improved.

Bannu and Dera Ismail Khan divisions in southern KP have been witnessing violence for the last few years while Kurram district in Kohat division turned troubled in recent months. Karak is also part of the Kohat division and witnessed the lowest number of terror incidents. New Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed during a press briefing said the police buildings in several districts needed to be strengthened to avoid such attacks.