LAHORE: An alleged suicide bomber was killed by a security official in crossfire on Tuesday morning when he attempted to attack a Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) police station on Burki Road.

No security officials were injured in this latest attempt at terrorism. The last terrorist attack in the city was carried out 18 months ago when over a dozen people, including security personnel, were killed in a suicide attack on Data Darbar in May 2019.

Hours after the thwarted attack, the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed on its official website and Telegram channel: “Our young mujahid suicide bomber targeted a bus carrying CTD personnel near CTD police station at Burki Road Lahore and killed all of them.”

The banned group also criticised the media for giving twisted coverage to the attack, portraying it as a failed attempt in which the alleged suicide bomber was killed by the CTD police before he could set off the bomb.

On the other hand, the CTD spokesperson contradicted the TTP’s claims. He said a young suicide bomber tried to enter the CTD police station at 5:30am on Burki Road. When the security official deployed at the checkpost stopped and asked him for identification, “the terrorist immediately opened fire with a pistol, but missed the target”. He added that the attacker also hurled a hand grenade at the official, which did not explode.

When the terrorist attempted to force his way into the premises, the security official fired at him, killing him on the spot. When his body was searched, he was found wearing a suicide jacket.

CTD personnel also found two hand grenades from his possession besides a pistol with live bullets.

The Bomb Disposal Squad reached the spot, while the area was cordoned off. A search operation was also launched to find the attacker’s handlers. His identity was being ascertained through fingerprints and photographs, the CTD spokesperson said, adding that the security official deployed at the gate displayed great bravery by thwarting the attack.

A case was later lodged by the CTD against the unidentified terrorist and his handlers under Section 7 of the ATA and various other sections of the PPC.

Published in Dawn, November 25th, 2020