,.,.,.,
Ali Akbar |
Sirajuddin
December 20, 2022
This image shows smoke rising in the distance after security forces launched an operation on the a CTD centre in Bannu. — DawnNewsTV
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Tuesday confirmed that “all the terrorists” of the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) who had taken hostages at a Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) centre in Bannu were killed in an operation conducted by the Pakistan Army.
Speaking on the floor of the National Assembly, Asif said that 33 terrorists were under arrest at the CTD compound and one of them had managed to snatch a gun from an employee after hitting him in the head with a brick.
The defence minister said that a unit of the army’s Special Service Group (SSG) carried out the operation, in which 10-15 of its commandos were injured while two were martyred.
“This operation was initiated on December 20 at 12:30pm by the Special Service Group and all terrorists were killed,” Asif said, adding that the entire CTD compound was cleared by 2:30pm.
“The unfortunate aspect of this is that terrorism is again making strides in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan,” he said. [Terrorism] incidents have taken places in other provinces as well but there is clear evidence that terrorists from across the border or locally are rising again [in KP and Balochistan].
“These 33 were under arrest regarding this situation and they had a link with multiple groups. The provincial government completely failed in its responsibility regarding the CTD [compound takeover.”
Prior to Asif’s confirmation, a senior police officer had confirmed to
Dawn.com on the condition of anonymity that the operation had concluded.
Late Sunday, the militants held in the CTD centre
took control of the building and took a number of law enforcers hostage. They had demanded safe passage to Afghanistan.
Earlier today, footage aired on TV showed plumes of smoke rising in the air from the CTD compound as the operation was under way.
Reuters reported locals as saying they heard explosions coming from the vicinity of the centre.