NORTH WAZIRISTAN: An alleged key commander of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakis­tan (TTP) was killed in an intelligence-based operat­ion (IBO) carried out by the security forces here on Thursday.

According to officials, the security forces received information about the presence of Saddam alias Langra at a hotel in the tribal district and cordoned off the area, adding that an exchange of fire took place between the security personnel and the alleged militant.

The officials said that following an intense exchange of fire, Langra, a mastermind of several suicide bombings and a member of the TTP Khadri group, was gunned down.

“Langra was also involved in several attacks, including a targeted attack on security forces in the Haiderkhel area a few days ago,” an official said.

No statement was issued by Inter-Services Public Relations, the military’s media wing, about the operation and killing of the TTP commander till late into the night.

Published in Dawn, May 12th, 2023