Five suspected terrorists gunned down in Lahore shootout

LAHORE: Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) on Saturday night gunned down five ‘suspected terrorists’ in a fierce shootout near Sagian Bridge here, ARY News reported. 

Acting swiftly on an intelligence tip-off about presence of the suspects, the CTD personnel raided a house in a locality comes under jurisdiction of Dera Saeen police station near River Ravi of the provincial capital.

Sensing the arrival, the suspects opened fire on the CTD personnel. The raiding team retaliated and after exchange of heavy fire, five suspects were killed and three others managed to flee from the spot after taking advantage of darkness, official sources said.

Sharing the details of the slain terrorists, the anti-terrorism department said the suspects were affiliated with the proscribed outfit Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

One of the slain terrorists has been identified as Zarrar, a resident of Bahawalnagar and an absconder who escaped prison earlier, the CTD sources added.

During the search operation, CTD personnel also claimed to recover explosive materials, weapons, and a motorcycle from the possession of the slain terrorists.

READ ALSO: CTD inspector dismissed for sharing sensitive information with terrorists

Last day, the CTD arrested four suspected terrorists in a raid carried out on an intelligence tip-off.

The terrorists were planning a terror attack on Muharram congregations in the city, which was allegedly dangerously close to being carried out before it was thwarted by the anti-terrorism department.

The CTD also claimed to recover sizable quantity of arms and explosives from the possession of the accused.

Pakistan has suffered huge losses of lives in a wave of extremism, militancy and radicalization of people in various ideological hues and forms. The security forces and civil armed forces of the country fighting a fierce war against militancy that has hit hard to the social fabric of the society.