Police say complete details regarding the operation and the killed terrorist will be shared later
A highly wanted terrorist commander, identified as Naseer Muhammad alias Geedarh killed in an IBO in Bannu. PHOTO: EXPRESS
MIRANSHAH:
A highly wanted terrorist commander, identified as Naseer Muhammad alias Geedarh, who carried a Rs6 million bounty on his head, was killed during an intelligence-based operation (IBO), Bannu District Police Officer (DPO) Captain (Retd.) Muhammad Furqan Bilal confirmed to The Express Tribune.
According to a statement issued by the police, the operation was conducted jointly by Bannu Police and the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD). The police said complete details of the operation and the deceased terrorist would be shared later.
“An IBO against terrorists was underway in the jurisdiction of Domel Police Station under the supervision of DPO Bilal, involving Bannu District Police and CTD teams,” it said.
Police said that the operation was being conducted in Akbar Ali Khan Kili, Sada Khel, Sadarwan and adjoining areas, where police and CTD teams were carrying out targeted actions based on intelligence reports regarding the presence and movement of terrorists.
“Search and surveillance operations, along with searches of suspected locations, were also underway in the area. Security had been further tightened in various parts of Bannu Township and Domel,” it added.
Police said further details about the operation and its progress would be shared after the operation was completed.
Read: Terrorist killed in joint police, CTD operation in K-P’s Bannu
Earlier on August 10, a joint IBO in Bannu’s Miryan area had killed one suspected terrorist and led to the detention of eight others, according to police. The operation, involving district police, the CTD, the Elite Force and Pakistan Army personnel, had been conducted in Khani Kalay, Barakzai and surrounding areas. Police said the slain suspect had been killed while allegedly attempting to plant an improvised explosive device, and weapons and ammunition were recovered.
Also on July 20, a joint IBO in Bannu killed one suspected terrorist and detained eight others, according to police. The operation was led by DPO Bilal, with district police, the Elite Force, CTD and Pakistan Army personnel taking part.
The latest operations come after coordinated terrorist attacks in K-P on July 15. In Bannu, terrorists rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the Miryan police station before engaging security personnel in a prolonged gun battle, injuring six police officers and four civilians. Police said the attackers also blew up a damaged bridge leading to the station in an apparent attempt to delay reinforcements.
Terrorism has significantly increased 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 in 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.
The recent incidents in K-P reflect the continued security challenges faced by the region.
On July 13, two police officers were killed and two others injured when a suspected remote-controlled improvised explosive device (IED) struck a police armoured personnel carrier during a routine patrol on the Wana-Jandola Road in K-P’s Tank district.
Read More: One terrorist killed, eight detained in Bannu IBO
On July 3, unidentified attackers carried out two separate acts of sabotage in Bannu district, targeting a government girls’ middle school and a key link bridge.
Explosives planted inside the Government Girls Middle School in Mama Khel damaged parts of the building, cracking classroom walls and shattering windows and doors.
In a separate incident in the Bachki area of Jani Khel, terrorists planted a drum filled with explosives beneath an important bridge, apparently attempting to disrupt transport links. Security forces and the Bomb Disposal Unit defused the device before it could cause damage.
On June 20, at least seven people were killed when a passenger vehicle was targeted in an IED attack in the region.
