PESHAWAR: The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) arrested four militants of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan in an intelligence-based operation carried out in the Buner district.

The arrested militants, including three from Buner and one from Chitral district, were allegedly involved in target killings and extortion, according to statement issued by the CTD here on Wednesday.

It said that explosives, hand grenades and ammunition were also recovered from the militants.

The statement said that on a tip-off that two militants, Wajid Ali from Buner and Rehmanuddin from Chitral were present in the area, a CTD team conducted a raid and arrested them.

The statement said that the militants had orders from a militant commander, Sohail of the banned TTP to collect extortion and target some important personalities in the area. It added that during interrogation, the militants revealed that two other militants were also present in the area.

The statement said that Najmuddin and Ayaz Khan, both residents of Buner district, were also arrested, and arms, ammunition and explosives were recovered from them.

The statement said that Ayaz Khan revealed during interrogation that he had attacked a Khateeb (prayer leader) and was also in contact with one Mufti Sajjad in Afghanistan via telegram.

The statement said that all the militants had got training in Afghanistan and Kurram tribal district.

Published in Dawn, October 5th, 2023