QUETTA: The Counter-Terrorism Dep­artment (CTD) has killed three suspected militants belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in a heavy exchange of fire during an operation.

A CTD spokesman said on Friday that the militants were involved in the targeted killing of a police officer and a Levies constable in Quetta and Pishin.

The CTD recovered one SMG, two magazines, 47 cartridges, one TT pistol, one spare magazine, 10 live rounds, hand grenades, and a motorcycle from the hideout of the suspected militants.

He said that a suspect, Imdadullah, had been arrested in connection with the targeted killing of police and Levies personnel.

During the investigation, the suspect admitted that he, along with his accomplices Abdul Hanan and Mullah Qayyum, targeted police personnel at Bismillah Shinwari Hotel in the Bhosa Mandi area of Quetta on Feb 22 in which ASI Rehmatullah and Constable Ali Asghar died, while Constable Qurban Ali was injured.

He said they were also involved in the targeted killing of Levies Sepoy Mir Wais in district Pishin. TTP had claimed responsibility for both the attacks.

The suspect took the CTD team to the hideout of the terrorists. The terrorists were asked to surrender, but they started firing on the CTD team. The CTD team returned fire, killing three terrorists, including Imdadullah.

Their bodies were taken to Civil Hospital, Quetta.

Published in Dawn, April 2nd, 2022