PESHAWAR (Kashmir English): The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa said four terrorists belonging to the JUA Jamroz group of Fitna-ul-Khawarij were killed during an intelligence-based operation in the Mera Kachori area of Peshawar.
According to a CTD statement, authorities had received intelligence that suspected militants were planning attacks on security forces and government property in the Mehr Gul Kalay Cemetery area of Mera Kachori.
Acting on the information, a SWAT team of the CTD Peshawar Region conducted an intelligence-based operation at the location.
The CTD said the suspects opened fire on its personnel during the operation, triggering an exchange of gunfire that continued for around 20 to 25 minutes.
After the firing, a search operation was conducted in the area from where the bodies of 4 terrorists were recovered, while the other terrorists escaped, taking advantage of the darkness of the night.
According to CTD, 3 Kalashnikovs, one pistol, one hand grenade, 7 magazines, and cartridges were recovered from the killed terrorists.
The CTD added that one terrorist has been identified as Syed Wali, a resident of Nangarhar, Afghanistan. An Afghan refugee card was also recovered from his pocket.
The CTD said preliminary evidence suggested that Syed Wali could possibly be one of three suspected suicide bombers for whom a threat alert had previously been issued over their alleged entry into Pakistan from Afghanistan through Khyber district. It said further investigations were underway to verify the information.
Authorities said the profiling and identification of the remaining slain suspects were continuing, while search and pursuit operations had also been launched to trace those who escaped.
Inspector General of Police KP Zulfiqar Hameed and the Additional Inspector General, Counter Terrorism Department, have appreciated the professionalism, courage, and bravery of the personnel of CTD Peshawar Region for the successful operation.
