CTD arrests suspected female suicide bomber in KP, claims major attack foiled

—includingPESHAWAR: The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police claimed to have averted a major incident after arresting a suspected female suicide bomber during a raid in the Sheikh Yousaf Khema Basti area of the district, officials said on Saturday.

According to a CTD spokesperson, intelligence was received in the Dera region regarding the presence of a young woman allegedly linked to a banned outfit and preparing for a suicide attack. Acting on the tip-off, a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team carried out a targeted raid at the specified location.

Officials said the suspect, identified only by the initial "Z," was taken into custody following preliminary questioning. During interrogation, she allegedly revealed that she had undergone training under a militant commander identified as Shah Wali alias Tariq Kochi, who is reportedly deceased.

Police further claimed that the suspect disclosed she had recently agreed to carry out a suicide attack and that a suicide vest and target details were to be provided by another militant commander identified as Asim.

During a search of the premises, authorities recovered a bag containing a pistol with ammunition, two mobile phones allegedly used to maintain contact with members of the banned organization, a power bank, and other items. Officials also claimed that a perfume bottle was seized, which they said was intended to mask the smell of explosives.

The suspect has been formally arrested and shifted to an undisclosed location for further investigation. Authorities said efforts were under way to verify her claims and trace her alleged handlers.

Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed commended the CTD team for the operation and announced a cash reward for the personnel involved.

In a statement, the CTD said indiscriminate operations would continue across the province to thwart terrorist activities and ensure strict implementation of a zero-tolerance policy against anti-state elements.

The arrest comes amid heightened security concerns in southern districts of the province. Last week, four police personnel, including a station house officer, were martyred and two others injured in a militant ambush in the district.

Earlier, on January 23, five people — including a peace committee leader—were killed and 10 others injured in a suspected suicide explosion at a wedding ceremony in the Dera Ismail Khan district.