LAKKI MARWAT: A wanted commander of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, Ateequr Rehman, also known as Tipugul Marwat, who was killed in Afghanistan on Wednesday, was wanted to the law enforcement agencies in at least 10 FIRs registered against him under the Anti-Terrorism Act, Pakistan Penal Code and Explosives Act.

Local officials said Rehman belonged to the Lakki Marwat’s Bachkan Ahmadzai area. He had escaped the district and was hiding in Afghanistan.

“From his adulthood, he was involved in militancy and terrorism-related activities. He was an active commander of the banned TTP and spearheaded terrorist activities in his home district,” an official said.

He said Rehman mostly lived in his sanctuaries in Afghanistan, but would cross the border to lead and execute malicious militancy plans with the help of his group members, especially in Lakki Marwat. He added the police had reports that Rehman was the commander of a terrorist group operating in the district.

The official said though Rehman was wanted by the police and law enforcement agencies in several cases, his militant activities accelerated when the ceasefire between the government and TTP ended in November last year. He added that his group strengthened positions in the region and started attacking law enforcers, especially the police.

During the last one year, Lakki Marwat witnessed a surge in terrorist activities carried out by the group headed by Rehman, the official said, adding several police personnel were martyred in targeted attacks.

“He was involved in attacks on security personnel, police stations and checkposts,” the official said, adding Rehman was nominated by the local police its Counter-Terrorism Department in at least 10 cases registered under ATA, PPC and Explosives Act.

The official claimed Rehman’s killing was a big blow to the militant group operating in the district, which would enable the law enforcement agencies to eliminate the remnants of his group.

Published in Dawn, October 12th, 2023