MIRANSHAH: The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) says it foiled a terror attack and reportedly neutralized seven terrorists – three of them already in CTD custody – in a crossfire in North Waziristan during the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday.
CTD officials told the media that militants attacked its convoy which was transferring terrorists between Bannu and Miranshah. The CTD convoy was ambushed and fired upon, at which the law enforcers retaliated and an intense exchange of fire ensued between the two sides. Reliable sources say this attack took place last night at Mir Ali Bypass.
In the crossfire with security forces, three suspects in custody and four terrorists who attacked the convoy were shot dead, while 5 to 6 terrorists managed to escape by taking advantage of darkness.
Security sources said that the terrorists slain while in custody were identified as Irshadullah, Abdul Rehman, and Mehruddin. They were wanted by the CTD in several terrorism cases. Officials confirmed that the terrorists belonged to the outlawed Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and were involved in several attacks on security personnel.
According to sources, the terrorists ambushed the operation team in an attack possibly designed to rescue their militant comrades, but on this occasion, the security forces’ support party also reached the spot. As the convoy team held its ground against the attackers, timely arrival of reinforcements helped repulse the attack and forced the remaining terrorists to flee.
The terrorists were reportedly involved in the target killing of Constable Iftikhar in the grenade attack on the Bannu Cantt police station. A search and clearance operation was commenced to find and arrest the terrorists who fled.
