The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) Bahawalpur on Sunday killed four Daesh terrorists during an intelligence-based operation on Saturday, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
The CTD jawans raided the terrorists’ hideout in Zakhira Jungle near Azam Chowk of Bahawalpur. The CTD received the information that about seven terrorists of Daesh were present at the location. Upon arrival, the CTD personnel challenged the terrorists to surrender but instead they started firing at the CTD raiding squad, ensuing a gunbattle which resulted in the death of four terrorists while three managed to escape from the scene taking advantage of the darkness.
A large quantity of explosives and arms were recovered from the custody of the terrorists. The terrorists had planned to attack a worship place of a minority group in Bahawalpur. The recovered arms included 11 hand grenades, three SMG rifles, one pistol and ammunition.
The dead terrorists were identified as Amanullah, Abdul Jabbar, Rehman Ali and Aleem.
A CTD spokesperson confirmed that the militants were allegedly affiliated with ISIS and they planned to carry out an attack on place of worship of a minority community.
It is pertinent to mention that Bahawalpur minority communities had been targeted by terrorist groups in the past as well. On October 28, 2001, a Protestant church in Bahawalpur was attacked that resulted in 16 deaths and six injuries. The casualties were all Christian worshippers except one police officer. Since then CTD had intensified its counter-terrorism operations around the city and just last year, two terrorists were arrested in an intelligence-based operation in the area of Abbas Nagar police station.