NORTH WAZIRISTAN: Security forces killed two “important and most wanted” terrorists belonging to the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in North Waziristan tribal district on Tuesday amid talks between the government and the outlawed outfit.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement that intense exchange of fire between the security forces and terrorists took place in Boya area of the volatile district where a suicide bomber attacked an army’s patrolling vehicle in Mirali tehsil on Saturday.

The military’s media wing had confirmed martyrdom of three soldiers and three children in the suicide attack.

The encounter in Boya took place at a time when the outlawed TTP had extended ceasefire to facilitate peace talks with the government. Unconfirmed reports suggested that talks between the government and TTP were taking place in Afghanistan.

The ISPR statement said that the exchange of fire in Boya took place near the Afghan border in which two terrorists were killed. They were identified as Rasheed alias Jabir and Abdul Salam alias Chamtoo. Some arms and ammunition were found from the possession of the dead militants who were actively involved in terrorist activities in the area.

Sources said Rasheed and Salam were also involved in extortion and targeted killings.

Published in Dawn, May 18th, 2022