Six suspected militants killed in two CTD operations in KP

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) said six suspected militants were killed in two separate intelligence-based operations carried out in Kohat and Charsadda, according to press releases issued late Tuesday night.

In both statements, the CTD identified the slain men as members of Fitna al-Khawarij, a term used by the state for militants belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan.

Kohat operation

According to the first CTD statement, officials in Kohat received information indicating that militants were planning an attack and had set up a checkpoint on Shakardara Road to obstruct the movement of law enforcement personnel.

The CTD said a Special Weapons and Tactics team was dispatched to the area after the information was received. It said the suspects opened indiscriminate fire on CTD personnel when the team reached the location.

The statement said three suspected militants were killed in the ensuing exchange of fire, while some of their accomplices managed to escape. CTD officials said three Kalashnikovs, nine magazines and ammunition were recovered from the dead suspects.

Charsadda ambush

In a separate statement, the Mardan CTD said it received information that a group of militants was moving from Mohmand district towards Charsadda to carry out attacks.

The department said teams were deployed in Shabqadar, Charsadda, where an ambush was laid to arrest the suspects. According to the statement, the militants opened fire on CTD personnel, triggering what it described as an intense exchange of fire.

After the firing stopped, a search operation was conducted and three suspects were found dead, the CTD said. It identified them as Hayat Khan alias Hayatullah, Asim, and Aminullah alias Muawiya alias Qari.

The CTD said preliminary investigations showed the three men were wanted in several terrorism and targeted killing cases. According to the statement, Hayat Khan was a proclaimed offender wanted in the targeted killing of religious scholar Maulana Izzatullah, while Asim was allegedly involved in attacks on police personnel and religious leaders in Khyber district.

The statement added that three Kalashnikovs and hand grenades were recovered from the suspects. It said a search operation was continuing to trace and arrest those who had escaped.