Chechen militants residing in North Waziristan and a former PAF official have played a key role in the recent attack on Bacha Khan International Airport, Peshawar.
Five people were killed and another 40 were injured on December 15. Security forces killed 10 militants in retaliation. Sources told Pakistan Today that the attack was planned in North Waziristan. “It took around one and half a month, whereas almost details and maps were prepared by Adnan Rashid,” they added. Rashid, former Pakistan Air Force (PAF) official, was sentenced to death for a failed attempt on the life of former president Gen (r) Pervez Musharraf. He escaped from Bannu Central Jail on April 15. Besides Rashid more than 380 prisoners, mostly militants, escaped from the jail.
Sources said that militants from Tataristan Group of Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, headed by Abdul Samad Sheeshani, conducted the airport attack. “Their main target seems to be destruction of military helicopters,” sources said. However, they failed to enter the airport after explosives exploded when they broke away the boundary wall of the airport.
A tattooed militant was recognised to be a resident of Chechnya. The non-Muslim militant arrived in North Waziristan around four and half a year ago and later embraced Islam. He was counted among the most notorious criminals. The Chechens from Tataristan Group are residing in Mir Ali. Earlier, they were affiliated to Chechen warlord Tahir Yoldashev. Later the group was reorganised by Saifullah Adil. After Adil’s death in a drone strike the group was headed by Usman. Now the 120-strong group is working under Abdul Samad Sheeshani. The group is notorious for its involvement in high-profile terrorist attacks. On August 16, the militants under the aegis of Adnan Rashid attacked Kamra Air Base. Scores of security officials were killed and several military planes were destroyed in the attack.