Mastermind of Islamabad imambargah attack, four ISKP terrorists killed in IBO

Read:48 terrorists killed in Balochistan IBOs. The militants opened fire on the CTD personnel with the intention of killing them. The security personnel took cover and returned fire, resulting in the killing of five militants.

A drone was also used during the operation to monitor militant movement and facilitate the operation. Bomb Disposal Unit (BDU) and forensic teams were called to the scene, where they secured evidence and completed the required legal and technical procedures.

The CTD said an SMG, four pistols, two hand grenades, five magazines, a locally made improvised explosive device (IED) and a large quantity of ammunition were recovered from the slain militants. Two of the militants were identified through identity cards recovered from their possession.

One was identified as Imran, son of Dilawar Khan, resident of Tarkho Katkoot, Mamund tehsil of Bajaur district, while another was identified as Shahidullah, son of Miraj, resident of Sheikh Baba Charta in Upper Mohmand. The identities of the remaining three militants were being ascertained.

The CTD identified Imran, alias Abdullah, Bilal and Abu Bakar as highly wanted terrorists allegedly involved in 20 cases of bomb blasts, target killings and other terrorist activities in Peshawar and other districts., Imran was a mastermind behind IED and vehicle-borne IED attacks, target killings of police officers and political leaders, and suicide attacks against police and security forces.

Also Read:32 martyred in Islamabad imambargah suicide blast; govt blames ‘Indo-Afghan nexus’The CTD further alleged that Imran was involved in the killings of Maulana Khan Zeb, Senator Hidayatullah and Rehan Zeb. It said he had allegedly been present at the scene with other militants and opened fire on Rehan Zeb.

The department said Imran was also the mastermind of the February 6 suicide attack on an Imambargah in Tarlai, Islamabad, and was wanted by the Islamabad CTD in the case., Imran had arranged a suicide jacket from Bajaur for the Tarlai attack and transported the suicide bomber from Nowshera to Tarlai.

Shahidullah allegedly conducted reconnaissance for the attack and identified the target, Imambargah. At least 32 people were killed and around 169 others injured when a suicide bomber struck Imambargah Khadijah al-Kubra during Friday prayers in February this year.

The government had announced a reward of Rs12 million for information leading to Imran’s arrest or whereabouts, the CTD said. He was also allegedly involved in the 2023 suicide attack on a JUI-F workers’ convention in Bajaur.

Further legal proceedings are under way, while a search and clearance operation continues in the area. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed praised the courage, morale and professional performance of the CTD SWAT personnel who took part in the operation.