LOWER DIR: Police here on Thursday claimed to have arrested a militant commander identified as Shehryar, a close associate of TTP commander Miftahuddin alias Shabar, of Atoo village for his involvement in various anti-state activities in 2009.

Briefing mediapersons at Lal Qila Maidan police station, SP investigation Mushtaq Khan, DSP Amjad Khan and SHO Imran said that the militant commander was arrested during an intelligence-based operation.

They said that one Kalashnikov, three chargers, eight cartridges, two hand grenades and a bundle of electric wire were also recovered from his possession. District police officer Irfanullah had tasked the police team to arrest the absconder.

The officials said that TTP had taken control of several areas in Maidan during 2009. Later, the Pakistan Army restored peace in the area while majority of the TTP commanders fled away.

The SP investigation said that the militant was arrested from Barjo Gat Mountain. He said the outlaw was involved in torching 10 schools and other terrorist acts.

Published in Dawn, February 18th, 2022