DI KHAN: District police and the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) arrested 21 suspected individuals during a joint operation in the Paharpur area of Dera Ismail Khan, police said on Sunday.
According to a police spokesperson, the operation was carried out under the supervision of District Police Officer Sajad Ahmed Sahibzada following intelligence reports about the presence of miscreants in the area. Raids and search activities were conducted in multiple locations, including Seedu Wali, Barz Wali, Ali Wanda, Chanda, Kali Wanda, Garah Pir Imam Shah, Gloti and different localities of Paniala.
Senior officers, including SP CTD Iftikhar Ali Shah, SP Paharpur Asad Ali Shah and SP Muhammad Nawab Khan, oversaw the operation. Personnel from the Al-Burraq Force, Elite Force, CTD and district police participated.
Police said an exchange of fire took place between law enforcement personnel and suspected militants in a mountainous area near the inter-provincial boundary. No casualties were reported. The suspects managed to escape during the initial encounter.
Following the exchange, police launched a search operation in the surrounding mountainous terrain and nearby localities. As a result, 21 suspects, including individuals described as facilitators, were taken into custody.
Officials said weapons and ammunition were recovered during the operation. The arrested suspects were shifted to undisclosed locations for interrogation.
Police said investigations were under way to determine the role of those detained and to identify others involved. Security operations would continue in the district to prevent militant activity and maintain law and order, the spokesperson added.
