Nine Khawarij killed in Upper Dir operation

LOWER DIR: The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and police have killed nine terrorists belonging to the Fitna al-Khawarij — Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) — in a joint targeted operation, the Upper Dir district police chief said.

One of them is a local commander Sajidullah who along with his accomplices had attacked a police van.

Personnel from the Rapid Response Force and Elite Force also participated in the operation that covered a 20 square kilometres area and continued for three days.

Meanwhile, two innocent civilians lost their lives and 10 policemen were also injured during the three-day long operation.

The latest development comes as police in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have achieved great success against terrorists in recently.

Read more: Three terrorists, including Afghan, eliminated in Peshawar

With terrorism on the rise in the province, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi recently blasted the PTI government for worsening law and order situation in the province and questioned who was providing support to the terrorists.

Read more: Who has given refuge to terrorists in KP, Kundi asks

“From where these terrorists have come? Who has provided refuge to them,” the governor questioned and said Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur was responsible for the current state of affairs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Amid the rising acts of terrorism, China last week said Beijing “will continue to support Pakistan in safeguarding its territorial integrity and national security”, as it cited rapid global changes and growing instability.

In this connection, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who visited Pakistan, earlier called for eradicating the breeding ground for terrorism.

It’s a developing story. Details to follow