
14 TTP terrorists neutralised in K-P operations
Security forces and police on Saturday killed 14 terrorists, belonging to outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and arrested eight others in two different operations in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P). During these encounters, two policemen and a security forces personnel also sustained injuries.
According to an official statement, the K-P Police and security forces conducted a joint operation in Hangu district after receiving intelligence about the presence of terrorists in the Zargari Shanawar area.
A fierce exchange of gunfire took place, during which police and security forces eliminated nine terrorists. Hangu District Police Officer (DPO) Mohammad Khalid Khan, Doaba SHO Nabi Khan and one security forces' personnel also received bullet wounds.
The DPO was reported to be in stable condition. He was initially moved to Kohat and is expected to be airlifted to Peshawar.
Separately, Security forces conduct a coordinated operation in the Mazari Baba area of Malakand district, and killed at least five terrorists, according to initial reports. Two terrorists got injured while eight members of the TTP, also called Fitna al-Khawarij, were also rounded up.
The forces acted promptly after receiving tip-off regarding infiltration of the terrorists from neighboring Afghanistan and cordoned off the area, leading to intense engagement. The operation continued till the filing of the report, However, the situation in the area was under control.
In a statement, President Asif Ali Zardari commended the security forces for effectively engaging and neutralizing the Fitna Al-Hindustan terrorists. He also prayed for the swift recovery of the injured DPO and SHO.
Zardari said terrorists wanted to sabotage peace and stability which could not be allowed, adding the nation was united and the scourge of terrorism would be defeated at all costs. He further reiterated the resolve that the state would continue its efforts with full force to root out terrorism.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also paid tribute to the police forces for killing nine Khawarij in the security operation in Hangu. He prayed for the speedy recovery of DPO Khan.
K-P Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur lauded Hangu DPO and his team for a successful counter-terrorism operation, stating that he "salutes Khan and his team for their bravery."
Gandapur noted that DPO Khan personally confronted the terrorists on the frontline and, along with his team, foiled the militants' designs with exceptional courage and determination. "We are proud of such brave and fearless police officers and personnel," he said.
He added that the history of the K-P Police is filled with stories of valour and sacrifice, and reaffirmed that the entire nation stands with the security forces in the fight against terrorism.
K-P Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed contacted the officers injured in Hangu operation to inquire after their health. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also telephoned DPO Muhammad Khalid Khan, inquired about his condition and commended his bravery and leadership.
"Under your command, the police team displayed immense courage and eliminated five terrorists of Fitna [al-Khawarij]," he said. He lauded the entire Hangu police team for their successful operation and described their action as a significant blow to terrorism.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Business Recorder
an hour ago
- Business Recorder
Formation of commission to probe blasphemy cases: IHC suspends single bench's order
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC), Thursday, suspended a single bench's order of directing the government to constitute a commission within 30 days to probe blasphemy cases. A division bench comprising Justice Khadim Hussain and Justice Azam Khan issued the order in an Intra Court Appeal (ICA) filed by Rao Abdul Rahim advocate against the decision of Justice Sardar Ijaz Ishaq Khan. In the ICA, the petitioner urged the court to declare the single-bench decision null and void, and to dismiss the original petition as inadmissible. He maintained that the single bench exercised suo motu powers and issued directions without hearing the respondents' version. The petitioner further argued that the original petitioners had multiple legal forums available to them, including trial courts, but chose not to approach them. He said that forming a commission to probe criminal allegations contradicts established legal procedures and precedents set by the higher courts. In this connection, Justice Ejaz directed the federal government to constitute a commission within 30 days to probe blasphemy cases. He issued the directions in petitions filed by the victim families seeking formation of judicial commission to investigate the cases. The bench directed the federal government to form a commission within 30 days to investigate blasphemy cases. It also directed that the commission formed by the federal government must complete its proceedings within four months. In this matter, the victim families, represented by advocates Abid Saqi and Usman Warraich, had petitioned the high court for the formation of a judicial commission. They mentioned a report by the Punjab Special Branch titled 'The Blasphemy Business'. The report alleged that a suspicious gang had been entrapping youth in blasphemy cases and extorting money from them after filing complaints with the FIA in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The petitioners asserted that this gang is the complainant in nearly 90 per cent of blasphemy cases registered by the FIA. It added that operating under the name 'Legal Commission on Blasphemy,' the group is said to be consisted of both men and women targeting poor and lower-middle-class Muslim families. They revealed that a concerning pattern emerges in the FIRs: out of over 400 alleged victims, 70 per cent are young men and women in their twenties or younger while many of the victims are professionals, including engineers, Hafiz-e-Quran, and degree holders in various fields. They further said that they had approached the federal government with a formal request dated August 4, 2024, seeking the formation of an inquiry commission on the Special Branch's report. However, no action has been taken to date. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025


Business Recorder
an hour ago
- Business Recorder
Merged districts in KP: PM reiterates commitment to establishing peace and security
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday reiterated the government's commitment to establishing peace and security in the merged districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, formerly known as the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), stating that ensuring stability in the region remains a top national priority. He was speaking at a jirga convened at the Prime Minister's House, which was attended by a delegation led by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman. The meeting focused on issues concerning law and order, governance, and development in the merged districts. In a key announcement, Sharif said that the government had decided to restore educational quotas for students from the merged districts in medical and engineering institutions. The announcement was met with appreciation by tribal elders, who described it as a significant step towards equitable access to higher education. 'It gives me great pleasure to host you today,' Sharif said while addressing the delegation. 'The tribal areas are steeped in history and tradition. The people of these regions have rendered unmatched sacrifices for the cause of national peace and security.' Sharif paid tribute to the military, police, and law enforcement agencies for their role in combating terrorism. 'Their unwavering resolve continues to be a source of strength for the country,' he remarked. Calling for unity across the political and religious spectrum, the prime minister urged all stakeholders to contribute to making Pakistan a peaceful and stable state. Outlining his government's development priorities, Sharif said a special focus was being placed on improving education, healthcare, skills training, and employment opportunities, particularly for youth in the merged districts. He announced that this year's federal development budget included allocations for the upgrading of the FATA University and improvements in police infrastructure. The prime minister also directed the expansion of the federal committee on merged districts, chaired by Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan and Frontier Regions, Amir Muqam. The committee will now include representation from tribal elders to ensure inclusive decision making. The visiting delegation expressed appreciation for the government's efforts and welcomed the restoration of quotas and the expanded mandate of the committee. They also lauded the armed forces for their 'strategic and courageous' response during recent tensions with India. Concluding the meeting, Sharif assured the tribal elders of continued engagement and regular consultative sessions aimed at addressing the region's socio-economic challenges. The jirga was attended by federal ministers, Ahsan Iqbal, Azam Nazeer Tarar, Attaullah Tarar, Awais Leghari, Amir Muqam, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, and advisers, Parvez Khattak, Dr Tauqir Shah, and others. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025


Business Recorder
an hour ago
- Business Recorder
Opposition alliance chief puts his full weight behind anti-govt protest plan
ISLAMABAD: Amid a deepening political crisis, an opposition alliance led by Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) on Thursday announced plans for a pivotal two-day All Parties Conference (APC) on July 31 and August 1. The gathering aims to bring together political leaders, civil society members, and institutional representatives to address the country's mounting constitutional and governance challenges. Speaking at a press conference alongside senior leaders of opposition parties particularly Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), TTAP chairman Mahmood Khan Achakzai described the moot as more than symbolic. 'From Gilgit-Baltistan to Gwadar, we will mobilise – street by street, door to door – but without violence,' he said, emphasising the alliance's commitment to a constitutional and peaceful struggle for reform. Achakzai, a longtime advocate for democratic transparency, criticised the ruling coalition's use of force against political opponents. He accused the government of suppressing dissent through intimidation and incarceration, warning that the current climate reflected coercion rather than democracy. A central demand of the alliance is the establishment of an independent election commission to restore genuine electoral representation. 'We demand that Pakistan be governed by the ballot, not by force,' Achakzai asserted. PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, citing directives from jailed party founding chairman Imran Khan, echoed these concerns. 'This is not just a PTI movement; it is a voice for all those denied justice and silenced by fear,' Raja said, calling on citizens to peacefully express their grievances in a nationwide protest scheduled for August 5. Raja also alleged that state authorities violated due process in Khan's ongoing legal proceedings, claiming the former prime minister was denied access to legal counsel during a recent hearing. 'This jail trial is a clear affront to judicial transparency,' he added. Allama Nasir Abbas, leader of Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM), criticised recent government decisions regarding the Supreme Court's ruling on seats reserved for women, calling them emblematic of systemic manipulation. While rejecting armed resistance, Abbas warned of significant protests on August 5 and cautioned that any state efforts to disrupt peaceful demonstrations would have serious consequences. Meanwhile, PTI spokesman Sheikh Waqas Akram condemned the government's intensified crackdown on opposition leaders, citing detentions and arrest warrants against senior figures including Raja Basharat, Ali Amin Gandapur, Dr Arif Alvi, Omar Ayub, and others. He described these moves as politically motivated attempts to stifle dissent ahead of the protests. 'The government's tactics will neither intimidate nor silence us,' Akram said. 'We stand firm for constitutional supremacy, judicial independence, and the restoration of democracy.' Highlighting the personal toll of the political strife, PTI's Babar Awan painted a grim picture of Imran Khan's incarceration. He accused authorities of subjecting Khan to solitary confinement under harsh conditions, denying him access to medical care and basic necessities – violations he likened to breaches of international prisoner rights. 'Imran Khan is not just the most popular leader in Pakistan; he is a symbol of hope,' Awan said. 'Yet he is treated worse than a prisoner of war.' Despite these challenges, Awan insisted that Khan remains 'unbroken and unwavering,' continuing to inspire millions amid political uncertainty. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025