KHAR: Security forces on Saturday claimed to have foiled a terrorism bid in Bajaur tribal district by killing two terrorists, including one would-be suicide bomber, during an intelligence-based operation in Mamond tehsil.

Security sources said that both terrorists, including a deputy operational ‘commander’ of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Bajaur chapter, were killed during a special operation conducted in the hilly Gat Agra area

The sources stated that the operation was conducted following the information that the terrorists were attempting to carry out terrorism activities in the region. Soon after receiving the information, a contingent of security forces was dispatched to the area which killed the terrorists before they carried out their activities.

They claimed that the deceased deputy operational commander of the TTP Bajaur, who was wearing a suicide jacket, was among the most wanted militants in the district. He said the militant commander had been involved in many terrorist activities in the region, including bomb blasts.

The sources pointed out that the dead militant commander was also involved in collection of extortion from locals on behalf of the TTP Bajaur.

A number of materials, including three 9 mm pistols, 30 rounds of 9 mm pistol, one torch and one mobile set, were recovered from the bodies of terrorists.

The sources didn’t name the killed terrorists, but claimed that they were on terrorism mission, saying they could have caused huge destruction in the area if the action was not taken immediately.

Published in Dawn, September 23rd, 2018