Policeman, 5 terrorists killed in joint army, police operation in Hayatabad

PESHAWAR: Five terrorists were shot dead while a policeman embraced martyrdom in an intelligence-based operation carried out by the Pakistan Army and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police personnel in Peshawar’s Hayatabad locality, ARY News reported.

“Army and KP police conducted a joint Intelligence Based Operation in Hayatabad Phase VII, Peshawar against a terrorist hideout,” Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.

The operation that started on Monday night continued for more than 17 hours before concluding Tuesday afternoon.

“During exchange of fire, five terrorists have been killed while ASI Qamar Alam embraced Shahadat, an officer and a soldier got injured,” the military’s media wing said.

The funeral prayer of Shaheed ASI Qamar Alam was offered in Peshawar, it said, adding the security forces are in the process of clearing the compound and conducting search operation in the adjacent areas.

The dead bodies of the killed terrorists have been recovered while their identification is underway.

AIG Shafqat Malik revealed that explosive material was planted in a bike, which was neutralised by a bomb disposal squad, while explosives installed in the building exploded soon after the operation concluded, demolishing the structure.

He said the police take utmost care to ensure safety of the people residing in the area.

Peshawar Corps Commander Lt Gen Shaheen Mazhar Mahmood also visited the site of the operation on Tuesday morning.

Speaking to the media earlier today, KP Chief Minister Mahmood Khan said there were reports about the presence of five to seven terrorists inside the Hayatabad house.

Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Qazi Jameelur Rahman, who led the operation, said that the killed militants were planning a terror attack in Peshawar.

Khyber Pakhtunkhuwa’s Information Minister Shaukat Yousafzai had told the media on Monday night that the raid was conducted in view of recent terrorist attack on a judge and an additional inspector general in the area.

In February, A judge of the Peshawar High Court (PHC) Justice Ayub Khan Marwat was shot and injured in a deadly attack. Justice Ayub Khan Marwat got injured when some unknown motorcyclists opened fire on his vehicle in Hayatabad area of Peshawar. The police had said the justice was on his way to the high court when his vehicle came under attack.