Two most wanted TTP terrorists gunned down in Tank operation: CTD

The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) on Wednesday killed two highly wanted terrorists linked to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in a successful intelligence-based operation in the Tank district, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P). According to a statement issued by the CTD, upon receiving information about the terrorists' presence in the area, the team launched an operation. During the operation, the terrorists, who were hiding, opened fire on the CTD team, resulting in a gunfight that lasted about 40 minutes. "After the shooting ceased, a search operation led to the recovery of the bodies of two terrorists, identified as Imdadullah and Tauqeer, affiliated with the TTP Mushtaq group," the statement said. No casualties were reported among CTD personnel. However, from the terrorists' possession, the CTD recovered two AK-47 rifles, six magazines, cartridges, and two bandoliers. The statement also confirmed that the terrorists were involved in several high-profile attacks, including an IED strike that killed five police officers, the kidnapping of police personnel at Government Girls Middle School Rori, and the bombing of a police van, where two police officers were killed. "They were also linked to attacks on a police mobile in Dera Tank, an assault on a judges' convoy on Tank Road, as well as the targeted killing of head constable Aziz and the abduction and murder of constable Rehan," the statement added. The Inspector General of K-P and the Additional IG of the CTD commended the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) teams for their success. "Our forces remain vigilant and are always prepared to ensure the safety of the public. Such operations will continue to bring terrorists to justice," they said. Terrorism has significantly increased in Pakistan, particularly in K-P and Balochistan, in the past few years. The rise in terrorist activity has led to growing concerns over the security situation in these regions. In response, security forces have been conducting intensive operations to counter the threat, targeting terrorist groups infiltrating from the Afghan border. The federal government has been consistently raising its voice on international forums against terrorist sanctuaries operating in Afghanistan and using its soil to launch attacks on Pakistan — a development attested to by the United Nations Security Council.