Cop martyred, two injured in Peshawar terrorist attack

A Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) police officer was martyred and two others were injured in an exchange of fire with terrorists in Peshawar on Thursday.

According to a senior CTD official, security personnel received intelligence about the presence of suspected terrorists in the Garhi Sherdad area near Warsak Road. A CTD team was sent to the area to carry out an operation.

The official said the terrorists opened fire as soon as the raiding team reached the location. The police personnel returned fire, resulting in an intense exchange between the two sides.

One police officer was killed in the attack, while two others sustained injuries. The official also confirmed that one terrorist was killed during the operation.

The exchange of fire was continuing in the area later in the afternoon. Other law enforcement agencies reached the site to assist the CTD team, while security personnel cordoned off the area.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi condemned the attack and expressed condolences to the family of the martyred officer. He also prayed for the early and complete recovery of the injured personnel.

The latest incident comes amid increased militant activity in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Police and security forces have intensified operations against suspected militants following a series of attacks targeting law enforcement personnel.

Earlier this month, five terrorists were killed during a CTD operation in the Shamshatoo area on the boundary between Peshawar and Nowshera. Police identified one of those killed as Imran, also known by several aliases, and described him as a key commander of the banned Islamic State Khorasan Province.

Police said the commander was wanted in connection with around 20 cases involving bomb attacks, targeted killings and other terrorist activities in Islamabad and other parts of the country.

In another recent operation in Peshawar’s Badhber area, four terrorists, including a militant commander and an Afghan national, were killed in an encounter with CTD personnel.