ISLAMABAD: In a precisely executed intelligence-based operation, theCounter Terrorism Department successfully eliminated three highly dangerousterrorists in Dera Ismail Khan district on Wednesday, dealing a significantblow to militant networks operating in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Theslain militants, identified as Naimatullah, Abdul Rauf Afghani and Mustafa,had long been on the security agencies’ most-wanted list due to theirdirect involvement in multiple lethal attacks targeting police and otherlaw enforcement personnel.
The operation unfolded in a remote area where CTD teams, acting on credibleintelligence inputs, surrounded the terrorists’ hideout. Fierce resistancefrom the militants prompted an intense exchange of fire, resulting in theneutralization of all three suspects. Officials described the encounter asswift yet challenging, underscoring the high threat level posed by thegroup. The successful elimination has been hailed as a major achievement inongoing efforts to dismantle terrorist infrastructure in the province.
Among the recovered items were three Kalashnikov rifles, nine loadedmagazines, two hand grenades and a substantial quantity of ammunition,indicating that the terrorists were fully prepared for armed confrontation.Security sources revealed that these weapons were likely intended forfuture attacks on security installations and personnel, highlighting theimminent danger that was averted through timely intervention by the CTD.
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi swiftly praised the operation,describing the slain militants as Indian-sponsored terrorists whoseelimination has thwarted their nefarious designs against Pakistan’sinternal security. The minister emphasized that such sponsored elementscontinue to pose serious threats, necessitating sustained vigilance andproactive measures across the country. His statement reflects thegovernment’s firm stance that external interference will not be tolerated.
Inspector General of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police and Additional InspectorGeneral of CTD also commended the professionalism and bravery displayed bythe CTD teams involved in the raid. Both senior officers reaffirmed theircommitment to intensifying intelligence-driven operations aimed atcompletely eradicating remaining militant elements from the province. Theywarned that any future attempts to target police or security forces wouldbe met with decisive and overwhelming response.
The Dera Ismail Khan district has witnessed a concerning resurgence ofmilitant activities in recent months, particularly along the frontierregions bordering South Waziristan and other tribal districts. Analystspoint out that the area’s strategic location makes it vulnerable toinfiltration and provides relatively safe havens for operatives seeking toregroup after military operations in adjacent regions.
This latest operation comes amid heightened security concerns across KhyberPakhtunkhwa following several ambushes on police mobile units andcheck-posts during the past year. The successful action is expected todisrupt ongoing planning by terrorist outfits and provide a morale boost tolaw enforcement agencies engaged in counter-terrorism duties underchallenging circumstances.
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Experts believe that consistent intelligence gathering, coupled with rapidresponse capabilities, remains the cornerstone of Pakistan’s evolvingcounter-terrorism strategy. The emphasis on neutralizing high-value targetsbefore they can execute attacks has proven effective in reducing theoverall incidence of terrorism-related incidents in several districts ofthe province.
The operation also underscores the importance of coordination betweenvarious security agencies in sharing real-time intelligence and executingjoint actions when required. Officials maintain that such synergy hassignificantly improved the success rate of counter-terrorism efforts overthe past two years.
While the elimination of these three terrorists marks an important tacticalvictory, security analysts caution that the broader threat landscapecontinues to evolve. Sustained pressure on militant networks, combined withsocio-economic development initiatives in vulnerable areas, will beessential to prevent the re-emergence of such elements in the long term.Pakhtunkhwa Police, Mohsin Naqvi
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