MARDAN: Senior police official was martyred and three others, including DSP, were injured during an intelligence-based operation that led to killing of two top TTP commanders in Katlang area of Mardan district.

During clash, Superintendent of Police Ijaz Khan was martyred with DSP Naseem Khan along with two other police officials injured.  Slain terrorists were identified as Hasan Qadeer Yousafzai, alias Mohsin Qadeer, and his aide Abbas alias Essa. Militants were part of TTP Haris group, which joined group in 2011. Before that, they were affiliated with TTP Swat.

Rescue 1122 reported that terrorists opened fire on police officers at around 3:30am last night. SP’s body and injured were immediately shifted to Mardan Medical Complex and another medical facility in area.  Ijaz’s funeral was performed at Police Line Mardan earlier, where DIG Region Sulaiman Khan, Commissioner Shaukat Khan Yousafzai and Deputy Commissioner Fayaz Sher Pavon paid tribute to martyr. SP Ijaz’s body has been shifted to his native town Sherpao for burial.

Terrorist commander was former service member and joined terror group in 2011 and Essa was brother-in-law of Qadeer.  Both moved to Swat with their families during tenure of PTI government and were wanted by security forces for attacks on security personnel, facilitation of militants and blasts in Mardan, Noweshera and Swabi regions.

Published in The Daily National Courier, February, 29 2024

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