- Orakzai clashes kill 16 suspected militants, key Taliban commander among three arrested in Shabqadar, two suicide bombers killed in Zhob, two bombs defused in Quetta
- Reports of militants’ plans to hijack airplane, Interior Ministry directs Airport Security Force to beef up security at airports
The security forces continued anti-terrorism operation in different parts of the country Saturday.
At least 16 suspected militants killed and 20 injured when security forces repulsed attacks on two check posts in the northwestern tribal region of Orakzai.
Four security personnel were also injured in clashes that followed the attacks on the Shindara and Khazana Kandao check posts.
The soldiers injured in the attacks, which took place shortly after midnight, were shifted to the Kalaya Agency Headquarters for treatment.
Orakzai is one of Pakistan’s seven semi-autonomous tribal regions in the northwest, where Pakistani Taliban and al Qaeda-linked militants are said to have strongholds.
It was the key abode of former Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief Hakimullah Mehsud before he was killed in a US drone strike in North Waziristan in 2013.
SHABQADAR ARRESTS:
In the meanwhile, the law enforcement agencies arrested a key Mohmand Taliban commander along with two other terrorists from the Shabqadar area of Charsadda.
Speaking to media, Mardan Range Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Saeed Wazir said that Amanullah alias Imran Khurasani, who was carrying a head money of Rs 5 million, was arrested during a raid. Two other terrorists Samiullah alias Abu Bakr and Roohullah were also arrested in the operation, he said.
Abu Bakr was said to be involved in attacks on political leaders and other heinous crimes.
Wazir said that about 150 kilograms of explosives were also recovered from the arrested militants.
BOMBERS KILLED, AMMO SEIZED IN ZHOB:
Moreover, two suicide bombers were killed during a security forces’ operation in Balochistan’s District Zhob on Saturday morning.
A huge cache of arms and ammunition was recovered Saturday in a joint raid by security personnel and intelligence agencies near Sabakzai Dam in Zhob, private media reported.
Reports added that two militants blew themselves up during the raid.
As many as 800 locally made bombs, 50 land mines, 200 kilograms of explosive material, 13 rocket launchers, hand grenades and Kalashnikovs were recovered from the site. Two bombs were also reportedly defused at the site.
ONE FC MAN KILLED IN DERA BUGTI:
Moreover, one Frontier Corps (FC) personnel was killed and seven others were injured when armed militants opened fire on their vehicle in Dera Bugti area of Balochistan on Saturday.
FC sources said that the armed militants opened indiscriminate firing on security forces’ vehicle in Loti area of Dera Bugti. They said one soldier was killed and another seven were injured in the attack.
Militants were hiding and opened fire on the FC vehicle from nearby mountains, they added.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack. However, FC sources said Baloch separatists could be behind the attack.
In the meanwhile, police foiled a major terror bid by defusing two bombs planted at railway track in Quetta on Saturday morning.
Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Razzaq Cheema told reporters that police with the support of masses defused two bombs, each five kilograms heavy at railway track on Sariab Road Quetta.
Timely information by citizens saved Rawalpindi-bound Jaffar Express from a catastrophe, Cheema said. “Citizens spotted a suspicious bag and then informed police,” he added.
The passenger train was stopped after the recovery of explosives and the bomb disposal squad was called in the area to conduct sweeping of the track.
No one has claimed responsibility for the incident. However, militants have been targeting railway tracks and passenger trains in Balochistan for more than the past one decade
CHAKWAL COPS CONTINUE CRACKDOWN:
In the meanwhile, the crackdown against suspected Afghan nationals living in Pakistan illegally continued in District Chakwal on Saturday.
Over 1000 Afghan nationals, who were residing in Chakwal, Kallar Kahar, Miani and Choa Saidan Shah have been checked by local police and agencies concerned.
Chakwal Sadar Police Sub-Inspector Zohaib Ali arrested an Afghan national Mujahid Khan from village Mureed after he failed to produce his documents of residing in Pakistan. Police booked him under 14-Foreign Act and put him behind bars.
20 SUSPECTS ARRESTED IN KOHAT:
At least 20 suspects including six illegal Afghan residents were detained by Kohat police in a search operation on Saturday.
According to Kohat police spokesman, a search operation was carried out in the areas of Mian Ghaana Colony, Khawaja Abad, Afghan Mahajir Camp and Garrison College in which 20 suspects including six Afghans have been arrested until now.
The suspects have been shifted to an undisclosed place for interrogation.
UPPER DIR FIRING:
A sub-inspector (SI) of police was killed and three cops injured in firing on Saturday by a suspect who was later arrested by police.
A police team acting on a tip off regarding presence of proclaimed offender launched a crackdown at a house located in Bandai area, Nihag Dara, Upper Dir.
The accused taking shelter in the house started firing at the police, killing SI Siraj on the spot and injuring three other policemen.
Police arrested the proclaimed offender Zafar who was wanted in more than a dozen criminal cases. The injured were shifted to hospital from where they were referred to Peshawar due to serious wounds.
MILITANT’S PLOT TO HIJACK PLANES UNVEILED:
Moreover, according to a local news agency, a major plot by militants to hijack passenger planes has been unveiled.
Secret agencies have revealed that terrorists were planning to hijack either a domestic or international flight plane to make passengers hostage and use them as a bargain chip to get their demands fulfilled and to secure release of their imprisoned associates.
The Interior Ministry reacting to the report of the secret agency has directed the Airport Security Forces (ASF) to beef up security of all airports across the country besides enhancing security in the vicinity of airports by deploying additional law enforcement agencies personnel.
