The Punjab Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) killed five terrorists during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in a border area near Attock. The department had received credible intelligence that terrorists present in the area had finalised plans to carry out attacks in different parts of Punjab, said a CTD spokesperson on Tuesday.

Giving further details of the operation, he said that a raid was conducted on the reported hideout, during which the suspects opened fire on law enforcement personnel, triggering an exchange of fire. As a result, all five terrorists were killed, he added.

The spokesman said the slain terrorists were affiliated with “Fitna al-Khawarij“. The state uses the term Fitna al-Khawarij to refer to terrorists affiliated with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.

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“A suicide jacket, three SMGs, two hand grenades and ammunition were recovered from their possession,” said the spokesperson, adding that identification of the terrorists is under way, while a search operation in adjoining areas has been launched. He also urged citizens to report suspicious activity on the CTD helpline.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday lauded the successful operation carried out by the CTD in Attock District against terrorists belonging to Fitna al-Khawarij.

The prime minister lauded the CTD for eliminating five terrorists during the operation. “The security forces, police, and CTD are achieving significant successes in the fight against terrorism,” the prime minister said in a statement. “We are firmly committed to the complete eradication of all forms of terrorism from the country,” he added.