LAHORE: The Punjab Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) on Sunday claimed to have killed three suspected members of the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), belonging to Afghanistan, in an alleged encounter, claiming that they were planning an attack in Lahore during Muharrum.

A CTD spokesperson said the department had received credible information that members of TTP/Jamaatul Ahrar (JuA) were present in a rented house in Gulshan Babar Abadi, Ferozwala and they were planning to attack law-enforcement agencies, Shia community, sensitive installations and personalities.

The spokesman said the CTD team conducted a raid at the place in the morning and the suspects opened fire on it. The CTD retaliated the fire and the suspects, namely Ehsanullah, Naimatullah and Abdul Salam, belonging to Afghanistan, were killed.

He said the team recovered a suicide vest, three hand grenades, two Kalashnikovs, two pistols and three Afghan identity cards from the site.

Published in Dawn, August 9th, 2021