PESHAWAR (MNN); Five militants affiliated with the banned Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) were killed in an exchange of fire with Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) personnel near Shamshatoo Camp on the outskirts of Peshawar on Thursday, the department said.
According to the CTD, intelligence reports indicated the presence of ISKP militants at a compound near the Kabul English Language Centre, where they were allegedly preparing major terrorist attacks, including bombings targeting sensitive installations, Imambargahs and churches.
After verifying the intelligence, CTD SWAT teams surrounded the compound and sealed its possible entry and exit routes. As the premises included a basement, the security personnel proceeded cautiously while conducting the operation.
The CTD said the militants opened fire on its personnel with the intention of killing them. Taking cover, the officials returned fire, killing five militants. A drone was also deployed to monitor movements inside and around the compound and support the operation.
Following the encounter, Bomb Disposal Unit (BDU) and forensic teams reached the site and secured evidence before completing the necessary legal and technical procedures.
The CTD said the operation resulted in the recovery of a sub-machine gun, four pistols, two hand grenades, five magazines, a locally manufactured improvised explosive device (IED) and a substantial quantity of ammunition.
Two of the slain militants were identified through identity documents recovered from their possession. One was identified as Imran, son of Dilawar Khan, a resident of Tarkho Katkoot in Mamund tehsil of Bajaur district, while the other was identified as Shahidullah, son of Miraj, from Sheikh Baba Charta in Upper Mohmand. The identities of the remaining three militants were still being established.
The CTD said Imran, alias Abdullah, along with Bilal and Abu Bakar, were among highly wanted militants allegedly linked to around 20 cases involving bomb blasts, targeted killings and other terrorist activities in Peshawar and other districts.
According to the department, Imran was allegedly a key planner behind IED and vehicle-borne IED attacks, targeted killings of police officers and political figures, as well as suicide attacks against police and security forces.
The CTD further alleged that Imran was involved in the killings of Maulana Khan Zeb, Senator Hidayatullah and Rehan Zeb. The department claimed he was present at the scene with other militants and opened fire on Rehan Zeb.
The CTD also accused Imran of masterminding the February 6 suicide bombing at an Imambargah in Tarlai, Islamabad, and said he was wanted by the Islamabad CTD in connection with the case.
According to the department, Imran arranged a suicide jacket from Bajaur for the Tarlai attack and facilitated the movement of the suicide bomber from Nowshera to Tarlai. Shahidullah allegedly conducted reconnaissance of the area and identified the Imambargah as the target.
The suicide bombing at Imambargah Khadijah al-Kubra during Friday prayers in February this year left at least 32 people dead and around 169 injured.
The CTD said the government had announced a reward of Rs12 million for information leading to Imran’s arrest or establishing his whereabouts. He was also allegedly linked to the 2023 suicide attack on a JUI-F workers’ convention in Bajaur.
Further legal proceedings are in progress, while a search and clearance operation remains underway in the surrounding area.
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed commended the CTD SWAT personnel for their courage, high morale and professional handling of the operation.
