ISLAMABAD: The Punjab Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) killed four militants during an operation in Pakistan’s eastern Dera Ghazi Khan area, the interior ministry said on Monday, lauding police personnel for their professional capabilities.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi praised CTD Punjab for the successful operation, with his office saying that it had been carried out against the “Fitna Al-Khawarij” or Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants in Dera Ghazi Khan’s border area.
As per local media reports, the operation took place on Sunday.
“I pay tribute to Punjab CTD for thwarting the nefarious designs of the Khawarij terrorists,” Naqvi was quoted as saying by the interior ministry.
Pakistan’s government and military use the term Fitna Al-Khawarij to describe TTP militants, who have carried out some of the deadliest attacks against Pakistani law enforcers and civilians since 2007.
The TTP wishes to enforce its brand of strict Islamic law across the country. Pakistan opposes the militant group and has vowed to eliminate its presence from the country.
Islamabad accuses Afghanistan’s government of sheltering TTP militants and facilitating their attacks against Pakistan. Kabul denies the allegations and has repeatedly urged Islamabad to resolve its security challenges without involving it.
The two countries are embroiled in a fierce conflict since late February, which broke out after Afghan Taliban forces launched a surprise attack on Pakistani military installations across the border. Pakistan says it has killed over 580 Afghan Taliban militants so far and struck 64 locations inside Afghanistan via air attacks.
Afghanistan has also said it has carried out air attacks against Pakistani military bases, including the Nur Khan air base, and has killed several of the country’s soldiers.
Arab News has been unable to independently verify claims by both sides.
