In a significant operation conducted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Dera Ismail Khan district, the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) has eliminated eight terrorists, including the notorious Jahanzaib. These terrorists were actively involved in attacks on Customs officials, security forces, target killing, and extortion. Their elimination represents a major blow to terrorist activities in the region.
According to a statement issued by the CTD, the terrorists were present in the district with plans to carry out sabotage activities. Their escape routes were strategically blocked by the authorities, making it impossible for them to evade capture. Concerns have been raised regarding the presence of terrorist facilitators among the local population, and the CTD is actively pursuing strict action against these individuals.
The operation comes in the wake of recent attacks on Customs officials in the district. Last weekend, two officials were gunned down near York Toll Plaza, while four others were injured. This attack followed a previous incident on April 18, where six individuals, including five customs officials, were killed in a firing incident on Sago Road.
Data from the Department of Interior and Tribal Affairs of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reveals that the districts of Peshawar, Khyber, Bajaur, Tank, Dera Ismail Khan, North Waziristan, and South Waziristan remain vulnerable to terrorist activities. A report by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) indicates that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan accounted for over 92% of all fatalities and 86% of attacks in the country during the first quarter of 2024. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa alone suffered 51% of all fatalities, highlighting the need for continued vigilance and counter-terrorism measures in the region.
