DERA GHAZI KHAN: Police claimed to have killed two suspected militants, in a joint operation with the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), in the Kotani Tal area in the limits of Wahwa police station on the Punjab-Khyber Pakhtunkhwa border.

According to District Police Officer (DPO) Syed Ali, the joint operation was carried out following credible intelligence reports about the militants’ movement in the region.

He said that as per reports, a group of militants, affiliated with extremist networks, was planning large-scale attacks on police stations and sensitive installations in Punjab.

He said that acting on the tip-off, the Wahwa station house officer (SHO), along with police and CTD teams, pursued the militants.

Upon spotting the advancing forces, the DPO said, the militants fired rockets, hand grenades and used heavy weaponry.

Despite the intense assault by the militants, the police and other law-enforcing agencies retaliated with precision and bravery, he added.

He said back-up teams, including the elite force, were dispatched promptly to ensure the militants had no chance to escape.

The DPO said that the coordinated efforts resulted in the killing of two militants on the spot.

The forces recovered rocket launchers, hand grenades, and other advanced weaponry during the operation, said DPO Syed Ali.

The operation was supervised by DG Khan Regional Police Officer (RPO) retired Capt Sajjad Hassan Khan.

Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr Usman Anwar commended the CTD and DG Khan police for their swift action and outstanding performance in neutralising the militants.

After the combat, police, CTD, and elite force teams have launched a comprehensive search and sweep operation in the border areas against the remaining militants.

Published in Dawn, December 18th, 2024