QUETTA: Five suspected terrorists of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were killed in an operation conducted by the Balochistan police’s Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) on Thursday, according to officials.

The operation was planned on the intelligence provided by TTP militant Naseebullah, who was arrested some time back, during the investigation.

He revealed the presence of militants in the Aghberg area, a locality on the outskirts of the provincial capital, who were “planning an attack in Quetta,” a spokesman for CTD said in a statement.

As the CTD personnel cordoned off the area and closed in on the alleged terrorists’ hideout, two of them tried to escape on a motorbike and opened fire on the raiding party.

The escape attempt was foiled as CTD personnel returned fire. After a heavy exchange of fire, four alleged terrorists were gunned down while one was taken into custody in injured condition. He later succumbed to his injuries at a hospital.

The CTD took the bodies into custody, the statement said, adding that during the search of the hideout, a huge quantity of ammunition and explosives were recovered which included one suicide jacket, five hand grenades, two pistols and a rifle, besides two motorcycles. The CTD claimed that the deceased terrorists were involved in the killing of an Eagle squad man and CTD officials in Kulchak, besides an attack on FC officials.

This is the third such operation in less than a week. On Sept 2, CTD killed eight alleged TTP and IS militants in two intelligence-based operations in Quetta and Washuk districts.

Published in Dawn, September 8th, 2023