Four ‘terrorists’, involved in killings of policemen, killed in friendly fire

Four persons, allegedly involved in the targeted killing of policemen in Lahore, were killed when the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) personnel returning from a jungle where they had taken these suspects for the recovery of arms came under fire by their three accomplices, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Sunday.  

Spokesman for the CTD said that all four terrorists, including Faizan Butt, who belonged to the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), were killed as a result of firing by their partners in crime.

“However, efforts are being made to establish the identity of the remaining three terrorists,” he informed.

“The personnel retaliated, he said, and added, “The assassins, however, managed to flee from the scene. A search operation is underway to catch them.”

The spokesman said that earlier the CTD personnel recovered arms, including hand grenades, two Kalashnikov rifles and two pistols, from the jungle.   

Four days ago, a court in Lahore had granted 14-day physical remand of Faizan to the CTD, who had gunned down three cops of the Punjab Police.

The spokesperson for the department said that the accused would be questioned to ascertain whether he had committed these crimes on his own or in connivance with others. “Forensic tests of weapons recovered from the target killer are also being conducted,” the CTD said.

The spokesman further said that the CTD was also trying to find out whether Faizan had a criminal history.

Reporter: Rana Faran Yamin