DERA ISMAIL KHAN/LOWER DIR: A would-be suicide bomber was killed in an intelligence-based operation on Dera-Tank Road, official sources said on Wednesday.

They said the security forces and police launched a joint operation after receiving information about the presence of a would-be suicide bomber in the area.

The sources said the alleged bomber was aged between 20 and 25 years. They said the security forces took the body of the suspect into custody.

An official of the bomb disposal squad, Inayatullah Tiger, told mediapersons that the terrorist was wearing a suicide vest with 4-5kg explosives and 300 to 400 ball bearings.

Meanwhile, the Counter-Terrorism Department on Wednesday claimed to have thwarted a terror bid by arresting three alleged ISIS militants and recovering arms and ammunition from them in Lower Dir.

In a statement the officials said the CTD Malakand region and security forces conducted a successful intelligence-based operation in Jangal Shaheed Kandao of Mayar.

It said three alleged militants, including Abdul Rehman of Jabagai Lal Qila, Azizun Nabi of Badwan and Fazal Qasim of Gul Maqam Chakdara were arrested. Three hand grenades, two pistols with 10 cartridges, 2.5kg explosives, eight detonators and three RPG shells were recovered from them.

The CTD registered a case against the accused under the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, and started investigation.

The arrested men were shifted to an undisclosed location for interrogation.

The CTD also claimed to have arrested a proclaimed offender wanted to police in two different cases during an intelligence-based operation.

Published in Dawn, February 18th, 2021