LAHORE: Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) personnel killed six terrorists during a gun battle in Mianwali, preventing what officials said could have been a major attack on police and government institutions.
A CTD spokesperson said on Friday that the department had received credible intelligence about the presence of a group of terrorists planning attacks in the area. Acting on the information, a CTD team carried out a raid on the suspected hideout, during which the militants opened fire on the law enforcement personnel.
During a heavy exchange of fire, six terrorists were killed, while eight others managed to flee the scene by taking advantage of darkness, the spokesperson said. He added that the terrorists were killed by firing from their own accomplices during the encounter.
Following the operation, CTD teams recovered a suicide jacket, three hand grenades, a submachine gun, ammunition and explosive material from the hideout.
The spokesperson said that an operation had been launched to trace and arrest the escaped militants, adding that the entire Chapari area had been cordoned off as part of the search effort. The process to identify the deceased terrorists was under way, he said.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz praised the CTD personnel for their bravery and timely action. In a statement, she reaffirmed the government’s resolve to eradicate terrorism and said such operations reflected the commitment of law enforcement agencies to safeguarding public safety.
