Current Final

Tag: TTP

  • Eye witness accounts: What happened during the cadet college attack?

    Eye witness accounts: What happened during the cadet college attack?

    Five Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorists attacked the Cadet College in Wana, South Waziristan, late in the afternoon on Monday.

    Operation Commander Colonel Tahir, who was part of the operation against the terrorists, revealed what happened during the attack. 

    He said that “five Afghan Khawarij” came to Cadet College, which is a very important college for the students in South Waziristan, and rammed an explosives‐laden vehicle into the main gate.

    Four more terrorists entered the college and tried to kidnap students but they were stopped by army commandos. Tahir mentions that the army managed to trap the terrorists in one administrative block of the college and late in the evening, around 10pm, an operation began against four remaining terrorists.

    According to a student who spoke to the media, students were preparing for a drill competition when they heard an explosion. He says that the army escorted them out of the college and took them to a camp and protected them. He said that the terrorists are “against education and they will never be able to stop us from getting an education.”

    A second eye-witness said that he heard an explosion and their teacher told the students not to worry and that everything would be okay. He said the army came in and then everything was fine.

    There were 550 cadets in the college at the time and all were safely evacuated.

    Information Minister Attaullah Tarar hailed it as a “huge achievement” by the Pakistan Army, saying the attack could have rivaled the 2014 APS tragedy.

  • Six security personnel injured in quadcopter attack on Bannu police station

    Six security personnel injured in quadcopter attack on Bannu police station

    At least six security personnel were injured in a quadcopter strike by militants on Bannu’s Miryan Police Station as a joint operation against terrorists continued in the Nurar area.

    As per a police spokesperson, the attack took place when an intelligence-based operation by police officers, security personnel and commandos from the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) continued in the area. The operation was launched following intelligence reports suggesting the presence of “Fitna al-Khawarij” –  the term used by authorities for the proscribed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

    “During the aerial attack, a quadcopter dropped explosives on the police station, causing an explosion that left two army soldiers, three CTD personnel and one police constable injured,” the official said, adding that the injured were rushed to Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Bannu.

    Security forces have set up checkpoints while cordoning off the area as successful targeted raids and strikes on militant hideouts continue, the police official said.

    It merits a mention that the operation was initiated after confirmation of presence of over 200 militants in the Miryan Police Station area spread panic. Armed TTP militants had taken to the streets, forcing shopkeepers to shut down businesses and leaving residents confined indoors, halting normal life. 

    “The timely and effective actions of law enforcement have forced the terrorists to flee the area,” the police official said, adding that operations were to continue till elimination of all militants. 

    Meanwhile, business activities in the area remained suspended and locals described the situation as “resembling a curfew”. Reports from the area said that loudspeakers in mosques were used early Thursday morning to warn residents to stay indoors and cooperate with the ongoing operation.
     

    Regional Police Officer (RPO) Sajjad Khan also said that the area would be cleared of terrorists at all costs. He reaffirmed the police’s resolve to act firmly against anti-law elements and restore peace. He added that terrorists had suffered heavy losses during the operation.

    RPO Khan also paid a visit to the hospital to check on the injured personnel and commended their courage.

  • Three ‘wanted’ TTP terrorists killed in Swat op

    Three ‘wanted’ TTP terrorists killed in Swat op

    Three “wanted” terrorists affiliated with the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were killed during a joint operation of the police and the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) in the Barikot tehsil of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s (KP) Swat district.

    “Three wanted terrorists have been killed in Barikot in a major win for Swat CTD. Eliminating the enemies of regional peace, the CTD has killed three important operatives of the Fitna al-Khawarij,” provincial police department confirmed in a statement on Saturday.

    Fitna al-Khawarij is a term the state uses to refer to the banned TTP. According to the CTD, upon receiving credible intelligence regarding the presence of wanted terrorists in the area, the operation was launched on Friday.

    The killed terrorists were identified as Ajmal alias Waqas, Matiullah alias Junaid and Rahimullah. 

    Ajmal was involved in nine terrorism-related cases and had been wanted for murder and extortion. He was also involved in the killing of Village Defence Council members. A bounty of Rs2 million had been announced for his arrest.

    Mutiullah, son of Ibrat Shah from Dabb Sar Martung in Shangla district, was wanted in two terrorism-related cases and was reportedly involved in the targeted killing of individuals aiding law enforcement agencies. 

    The third terrorist, Rahimullah, was also wanted in two terrorism cases and was allegedly involved in targeted killings and providing logistical support to militants.

  • Four children among six killed in Khuzdar attack on school bus

    Four children among six killed in Khuzdar attack on school bus

    A blast near Zero Point in Balochistan’s district Khuzdar targeted a school bus on Wednesday, martyring six, including four students and wounding over a dozen, Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti has told reporters.

    The chief minister said that among the martyred are the bus driver and his assistant, while those critically injured were being shifted via air to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Quetta. 

    A media report quoted security sources as claiming that three of the victims are grade six student Sania Soomoro, grade seven student Hifza Kousar, and grade 10 student Esha Saleem.

    Separately, during a press conference in Quetta on Wednesday, the chief minister condemned the brutal act targeting innocent children, revealing that 44 children were onboard the bus targeted in the attack. 

    “There was concrete intelligence about such an incident,” he said, adding, “However, we did not expect that innocent children would be targeted.”

    The chief minister stated that the children were brutally martyred and injured, adding, “The enemy has stooped so low as to choose soft targets like innocent children.”

    He further revealed that they were aware that the enemy could choose Balochistan in an attempt to overcome the humiliation of defeat in warfare. “The government and the state will hunt down each and every one of those responsible and send them to hell,” he vowed.

    “These people take money from India to target innocent citizens,” he alleged, reminding the Afghan interim government that its territory was repeatedly being used against Pakistan.

    Citing preliminary information, he said that the Khuzdar blast was not a suicide bombing but an IED attack. “Further facts will come to light after the investigation,” he stated. 

    Earlier in the day, in a statement, Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said, “In yet another cowardly and ghastly attack planned and orchestrated by [the] terrorist state of India and executed by its proxies in Balochistan, [an] innocent school-going children bus was targeted today in Khuzdar.”

    The military media wing further said that after having miserably failed on the battlefield through these most heinous and cowardly acts, Indian proxies have been unleashed to spread terror and unrest in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

    “Having failed in the Operation Bunnianum Marsoos and being hunted by military and law enforcement agencies, these Indian terror proxies are being employed as a state tool by India to foment terrorism in Pakistan against soft targets such as innocent children and civilians,” said the ISPR.

    The use of terrorism as a state policy by Indian political government is abhorent and reflective of their low morality and disregard of basic human norms, the ISPR said, noting that the planners, abettors and executors of this cowardly Indian sponsored attack will be hunted down and brought to justice and heinous face of India will be exposed in front of the entire world.

    Additionally, the military media wing reaffirmed that with the support of the brave Pakistani nation, the Pakistan Armed Forces stand united to uproot Indian sponsored terrorism from Pakistan in all its manifestations.

  • TTP suicide bomber caught in Lahore

    TTP suicide bomber caught in Lahore

    The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) police conducted an operation near Barki Road in Lahore, arresting a suicide bomber associated with the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), while another militant, who was injured during the operation, managed to escape.


    The CTD spokesperson stated that intelligence reports indicating the presence of terrorists in the region served as the basis for the operation. There was a shootout between the insurgents and security personnel throughout the operation. As a result, one suicide bomber was taken into custody, but his injured accomplice managed to escape.


    The arrested suspect has been identified as Hafiz Shams, a Balochistan native with ties to the outlawed TTP. Authorities recovered explosive materials, a safety fuse wire, and a suicide vest from his possession. The explosives were reportedly intended for a planned attack in Lahore.


    The search operation was launched in the surrounding areas of Barki after senior police officers arrived at the scene. Security personnel are actively working to track down the escaped militant.


    According to the CTD spokesperson, the militants had completed preparations for a major attack on Lahore. However, any significant crisis was successfully averted after the security forces took swift action. Law enforcement agencies are currently analysing intelligence reports and recovered documents to identify any further individuals involved in the planning.


    A case has been registered against the arrested suspect, and further investigations are underway to uncover more details about the network and any potential threats. To ensure public safety, officials are monitoring key areas and have tightened security across the city.


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  • Audio leak features TTP chief telling militants to not use mobile phones

    Audio leak features TTP chief telling militants to not use mobile phones

    An alleged leaked telephonic conversation has revealed new instructions for Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants, barring them from using mobile phones to avoid getting caught.

    As per the details, TTP chief Noor Wali Mehsud can allegedly be heard in the leaked audio, directing militants to not use their mobile phones continuously to avoid detection.

    “Inform all fighters that there is using a mobile phone continuously is not allowed… use your phones occasionally, but turn them off immediately afterwards as we are under surveillance and are being investigated,” he can allegedly be heard as saying.

    The audio comes to light a day after security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in North Waziristan, killing six militants.

    The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), in a statement issued Thursday, said that the IBO was conducted on the night of January 29-30 after reports of presence of terrorists in the Mir Ali area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s (KP) North Waziristan district.

    Major Hamza Israr, 29, who was leading his troops from the front and Sepoy Muhammad Naeem, 26, embraced martyrdom during exchange of fire with Khawarij, the military’s media wing said. “The security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism from the country, and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve,” it added.

    It merits a mention that in July 2024, another leaked audio allegedly featured Mehsud as instructing his henchmen to attack in educational institutions, healthcare facilities and the homes of military and police officers within Pakistan.

    The telephonic conversation revolved around Mehsud’ directives on challenging the security situation in the country, outlining methods for disrupting peace and order. He was also heard as ordering his men to carry out a couple of attacks without claiming responsibility for them, causing panic.

    In the audio, Mehsud could also be heard as instructing his lieutenants to keep the conversation confidential and ensure that no one else was aware of the plan.

    Ambush In another shootout, two security personnel were martyred, and seven terrorists were killed in North Waziristan, Dawn News reported while citing local sources.

    The shootout took place after the terrorists ambushed a security forces’ convoy, which was going from Datta Khel camp to Ghundi post.

    No official statement was issued by the ISPR about the attack till the filing of this report.

    Since the start of this month, security forces have conducted numerous operations in KP, which has seen a sharp uptick in terror attacks in the past two years.

  • Terrorists demand prisoner exchange for releasing atomic energy workers

    Terrorists demand prisoner exchange for releasing atomic energy workers

    Prominent journalist Azaz Syed revealed on Wednesday that Fitna Al Khawarij, commonly known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), allegedly kidnapped 17 workers of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s (KP) Lakki Marwat district on January 9.

    Speaking on the YouTube channel Talk SHOCK, Syed disclosed that the Khawarij are demanding the release of their members from the Law Enforcement Agency (LEA) and police in exchange for the PAEC workers’ release.

    On January 9, 17 PAEC workers, including a coach driver, were abducted at gunpoint in KP’s Lakki Marwat district.

    District police spokesperson Shahid Marwat had said, “Around 9am on Thursday, 17 workers, including a driver, involved in a mining project were travelling in a minibus when they were stopped and taken away at gunpoint by some men on Dara Tang Road in Lakki Marwat.”

    Hours after the incident, videos purportedly showing the abducted workers surfaced on social media, with the workers appealing to the government to meet the militants’ demands for their release.

    According to Syed, Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) member Naseer Turab was involved in reconciliation efforts with the Khawarij and the government to secure the release of the PAEC workers.

    Meanwhile, Syed claimed that Pakistan allegedly conducted an airstrike on the terrorists’ hideout, where the PAEC workers were being held captive.

    The journalist stated that the Khawarij handed over the dead body of a PAEC worker, along with a driver who was still alive. The terrorists claimed the death was the result of the alleged airstrike.

    The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has not issued any statement regarding the targeting of these hideouts.

    According to Dawn News, the deceased was a contract worker for PAEC named Rehanullah, whose body was found in the rugged terrain of the remote Zareefwaal area in Lakki Marwat district on Saturday.

    After medico-legal formalities at the hospital, Rehanullah’s body was handed over to his relatives. He was laid to rest in a local graveyard, and his funeral prayers were attended by a large number of people from across the district.

    On Monday, thousands of people protested against the delay in the safe recovery of the abducted PAEC workers in front of the main gate of the District Headquarters Complex, Lakki Marwat.

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Sher Afzal Marwat also participated in the protest, urging people to set aside political affiliations and unite for peace.

    Later, one of the speakers, Naseer Turab, warned that if the terrorists did not release the hostages within three days, the tribesmen would come out with weapons and “launch an action” against them.

  • Pakistan rejects talks with TTP, says Foreign Office

    Pakistan rejects talks with TTP, says Foreign Office

    Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch has said that Pakistan has rejected any suggestion to negotiate with the terrorist organisation Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

    In the FO’s weekly media briefing, Baloch said, “As i said in the past, Pakistan has no plans to engage in any talks with TTP. We believe that such offers are an affront to thousands of victims of TTP, who have been killed in Pakistan.”

    She added, “Pakistan advises Afghan authorities to take action against TTP and other terror groups that continue to threaten Pakistan’s security and who have been involved in the killing of Pakistani nationals in Pakistani territory.”

    She pointed out that Islamabad has strong evidence of Afghanistan soil being used for terrorist activities in Pakistan and expected that the Afghan government will take action against terror groups.

    Regarding India’s participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Pakistan, Baloch remarked, “I can confirm that invitations have been extended to all Heads of Government of SCO member countries, including the prime minister of India.”

  • TTP chief’s intercepted call reveals sinister plan to attack govt schools, hospitals

    TTP chief’s intercepted call reveals sinister plan to attack govt schools, hospitals

    A call made by Noor Wali Mehsud, the head of the proscribed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has revealed a sinister plot by the terrorist organisation to attack government schools and hospitals in Pakistan.

    Talking to his henchmen Ahmad Hussain Mehsud alias Ghat Haji, and Saqib Gandapur, Noor says that one method of creating instability in Pakistan is to target government schools or hospitals with bombings without claiming responsibility for them.

    The second option, he says, involves destroying the homes of police officers and soldiers.

    He then asks the two men to keep the conversation confidential that no one should be able to trace the attacks back to TTP.

  • TTP launches Azm-e-Shariat as retaliation to Pakistan’s Azm-e-Istehkam

    TTP launches Azm-e-Shariat as retaliation to Pakistan’s Azm-e-Istehkam

    Following the government’s announcement of launching the new security operation Azm-e-Istehkam, a counter-terrorism campaign against the Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP), the terrorist organisation has also announced its own retaliatory operation Azm-e-Shariat, the Khorasan Diary reported.

    Earlier this week, journalist Iftikhar Firdous raised alarms over the “clarity of policy” that the TTP holds against a confused and ambiguous state policy while appearing in Geo News programme Jirga with Saleem Safi.

    “The war against the Taliban has transformed; it has become ideological. TTP has started talking to political parties as they are expanding their political legitimacy by making a political office in Pakistan. Sarbakaf Mohmand, an affiliate of Jamaat-ul-Ahrar (JuA), was appointed as the political commission head,” cautioned the journalist.

    The Current contacted Iftikhar, the founding editor of the digital news organisation Khorasan Diary, to ask about the consequences of TTP having a clear ideology and garnering legitimacy.

    “Legitimising them even as a stakeholder has ramifications for the state. What happened during the peace talks gave them a voice, and since then, they have expanded that voice to overlap with the political narratives of the country,” said Firdous.

    He pointed out that since their narrative post-2021 is primarily anti-military and blames political governments of corruption and elitism,
    “any voice that chimes the same cord is used by them to promote their narrative. Their propaganda has been directly relevant to the political situation of current Pakistan.”

    About Azm-e-Istehkam, he said, “It has been clarified now that Azm e Istihkam is not the name of kinetics but rather the real-time implementation of the 14 points of the revised national action plan.”