Terrorists were in contact with TTP leadership in Afghanistan: DG ISPR

RAWALPINDI: Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor on Friday said the terrorists stormed the Peshawar Agriculture Directorate were in contact with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) leadership in Afghanistan throughout the attack.

Talking exclusively to ARY News, the DG ISPR said the TTP leadership has taken shelter in Afghanistan. “We have substantial evidences to provide Afghan authorities about sanctuaries in the neighbouring country,” he said.

Shedding light on operation continued for around two hours, Maj Gen Ghafoor commended Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) police efforts during the operation. “The army troops along with police personnel timely responded to the terror attack to neutralise the terrorists and clear the area,” he said.

He said all three ‘burqa-clad’ terrorists were killed during the operation and an aerial surveillance was also carried out.

“Afghan Director General Military Operations (DGMO) is currently visiting Pakistan and the evidences of TTP sanctuaries [in Afghanistan] were handed over to him,” the DG ISPR added.

He said the TTP spokesperson has claimed responsibility for the attack.  “Security forces immediately launched an operation after the terrorists stormed Peshawar Agriculture Directorate else there were possibilities of massive damages,” he added.

Earlier today, three ‘burqa-clad’ terrorists stormed the Agriculture Directorate in Peshawar under the cover of fire this morning, killing at least nine persons including seven students, however all of the attackers were killed by security forces in around two-hour long operation.

Of those nine dead, six bodies were brought to Hayatabad Medical Complex, while three were taken to Khyber Teaching Hospital, confirmed sources.