PESHAWAR: A wanted militant commander was killed during an intelligence-based operation by Pakistan’s Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) in the northwestern district of Dera Ismail Khan, officials said on Saturday.
A CTD spokesperson said the operation was launched after the department’s technical team received credible intelligence about the presence of Khalid, alias Commander, in the Korai area.
The militant, a resident of Dera Ismail Khan, was wanted in several terrorism cases, including the targeted killing of CTD Constable Muhammad Ali, the spokesperson said.
Acting on the intelligence, the CTD’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team carried out a targeted intelligence-based operation on the Tank–Dera Ismail Khan Road in the early hours of July 18.
Officials said the suspect was surrounded and repeatedly called upon to surrender. An attempt was made to arrest him alive.
However, the militant opened fire on the CTD team instead of surrendering, the spokesperson said.
The officers returned fire in self-defence. The exchange left the militant dead. No casualties among CTD personnel were reported.
Authorities said further legal proceedings were underway.
