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.