BANNU: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that Counter-Terrorism Department’s (CTD) compound in Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was cleared after three days and all terrorists who overpowered guards were killed in an operation.

In his briefing to National Assembly, he said 10-15 soldiers had been injured and two martyred after Pakistan Army’s Special Service Group launched an operation. “By 2:30pm, SSG had cleared compound.

All hostages have been freed,” he said.  He mentioned that militants were not part of one group, rather they belonged to different banned outfits.

Terrorists affiliated with outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan were involved in incident and in bid to end standoff, Pakistani government initiated talks with militant group’s leadership. Security forces afternoon completed clearance and rescue operation here at Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) Centre after killing all six terrorists, who had made CTD staff hostage.

Seven soldiers, including an officer sustained injuries during operation and were shifted to Combined Military Hospital Bannu official sources said. Security forces completed operation within 15 minutes, which started as 12:25 p.m., as all hostages were rescued safely. Injured troops were identified as Major Abid, Naib Subedar Zafar Yar, Havaldar Raheem, Lance Naik Irfan, Sepoys Shahid, Abdul Qayyum and Sufyan.

Terrorists had besieged CTD Centre after taking staff into hostage. They were demanding safe airlift to Afghanistan along with their detained accomplices in return for release of hostages. Sources said CTD compound was further being screened after completion of rescue operation.

Published in The Daily National Courier, December, 21 2022

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