Mardan: Security forces eliminate 4 TTP terrorists

MARDAN: In a coordinated operation, security forces and the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) killed four terrorists affiliated with the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

The operation was launched following intelligence reports about the presence of TTP terrorists in the Choura police station area. When the forces engaged the terrorists, the militants opened fire, prompting a retaliatory response that led to their deaths.

Read more: 220 martyred, 343 injured in KP terror attacks this year: CTD report

The Counter Terrorism Department was established in 2010 as a specialised unit within the country’s provincial police forces to tackle terrorism more effectively. Originally known as the crime investigation department (CID), the CTD was created to improve Pakistan’s counter-terrorism capabilities under the National Action Plan.

The CTD operates across the four provinces, with provincial branches in Punjab, Sindh, KP, and Balochistan. Each branch is overseen by a high-ranking police officer, typically an additional inspector general (IGP) or deputy inspector general (DIG).

The CTD’s headquarters are located in Karachi, Peshawar, Lahore, and Quetta.

The department’s primary responsibilities include counter-terrorism operations, intelligence gathering, and conducting investigations. It is tasked with combating terrorist threats through direct operations and specialised measures, focusing on high-stakes cases involving organised crime and critical infrastructure protection.

Read more: CTD arrests three terrorists in Punjab IBOs

Historically, the CID was established in the British Raj for general crime investigations. Following Pakistan’s independence, it was reorganised into CTDs across the provinces to address the growing threat of terrorism. The restructuring aimed to provide a more focused way of countering terrorism.

The CTD took part in several successful operations, including dismantling terror cells and neutralising threats from groups such as TTP and al-Qaeda.