The political administration of Khyber Agency on Friday claimed to have killed the commander of the defunct Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) Tariq Geedar group. Known as Saddam, the man allegedly helped facilitate the Army Public School attack.
Political Agent Khyber Agency Shahab Ali Shah told a news conference that Saddam was an important operation commander of the TTP. The man stood accused of acting as a facilitator in the Peshawar school attack.
“Intelligence agencies are working to confirm his involvement as facilitator in Peshawar School attack,” PA said.
“On December 25, Saddam along with his cronies attacked a tribal elder known as Badshah Khan in Ghundi, and killed him, after which security forces attacked the terrorists. During the crossfire Saddam was killed and six other militants were arrested in injured condition,” he told.
Apart from this the PA explained that this wasn’t Saddam’s only offence. Saddam was also involved in attacks on anti-polio teams. “On March 1, over 11 Khassadar personnel were killed during a terrorist attack on the polio team,” he informed.
The TTP commander was also the mastermind behind the attack on the Swat Scouts which resulted in the deaths of over eight security men. He also participated in an attack on the Hawaldari check post in which three security men were killed.
The PA further explained that Saddam had also been a part of kidnapping for ransom cases from Bara, Landikotal and Jamrud, and he had detonated two schools in Khyber Agency.
Shahab Ali Shah said that Operation Khyber One would continue till the elimination of all terrorists and soon the whole area would be cleared of terrorists. This would help pave the way for the return of IDPs to Bara and other parts of Khyber Agency.
Shah further said that areas of Bara Tehsil are under the control of security forces now. Development work has commenced under the Governor’s Special Development Package.
