At least four terrorists were killed in a CTD operation in Peshawar on Wednesday night, reported 24NewsHD TV Channel. According to the CTD spokesperson, CTD Peshawar received intelligence regarding the movement of armed terrorists belonging to the internationally proscribed organization 'Fitna-ul-Khawarij' in the Budh Bher area.
Earlier, a 'Khawarij' commander named Tahir—alias Muawiya, a resident of Shakas in Khyber District—had been spotted patrolling the area with his associates; their objective was to target the general public and wealthy individuals, challenge the writ of the government, and spread terror.
The three SMGs, a pistol, hand grenades, magazines, and ammunition were recovered from their possession.
In light of the intelligence, CTD Peshawar formed special SWAT teams to apprehend the terrorists and set up ambushes at potential entry and exit points. During this operation, suspects riding two motorcycles were challenged to stop; however, they abandoned their motorcycles at the scene and opened fire on the police party. CTD personnel returned fire in self-defense and to apprehend the terrorists. The exchange of fire continued for approximately 20 to 30 minutes.
Following an exchange of fire, a search operation was conducted at the scene and in the surrounding area; four terrorists were found dead, while others managed to escape by taking advantage of the darkness. The process of identifying the slain terrorists is underway.
The CTD stated that an Afghan identity card was found in the pocket of one of the killed terrorists; he hailed from Kunar, Afghanistan. The CTD claimed that two motorcycles used by the terrorists have been seized. The process of identifying the slain terrorists is underway, and a search operation is ongoing for their accomplices who managed to escape. According to officials, the Crime Scene Unit and the Bomb Disposal Unit (BDU) have been summoned to collect evidence from the scene.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa IG Zulfiqar Hameed said that operations against terrorists will continue without discrimination, and terrorists and their facilitators will not be allowed to disrupt law and order.