Latest news with #Tehreek-e-TalibanPakistan
Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Barrister Saif says KP chief minister in touch with administration over Tirah incident
Advisor to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister on Information Barrister Dr Muhammad Ali Saif on Monday said KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur is continuously in contact with the relevant administration over the Tirah incident. In a post on X, Saif said the chief minister is personally overseeing the Tirah incident and has convened a jirga of tribal elders in Peshawar, where the elders will be heard. At least seven people were killed and several others injured on Sunday after a protest sit-in in Bagh-Maidan Markaz against the death of a minor girl in Tirah's Zakhakhel. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has expressed grief over the martyrdom of innocent and peaceful civilians, which he said took place due to firing of Khawarij — Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) — in the Bagh Maidan area of the Tirah Valley in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Security forces kill five terrorists in Tirah operation In a statement on Sunday, the prime minister directed authorities to provide immediate medical assistance to the injured. Condemned the firing on peaceful citizens by Khawarij, PM Shehbaz said the nefarious designs of terrorists cannot shake our resolve. He also reaffirmed government's commitment to take the terrorists and terrorism to their logical end. In his social media message, Barrister Saif said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government had called an All Parties Conference last week to prevent such incidents, however, KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi and opposition parties demonstrated a lack of seriousness by boycotting the conference. 'The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government is deeply saddened by the Tirah incident, the government has announced aid of Rs10 million for the families of the deceased and Rs2.5 million for the injured. 'The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government stands in equal solidarity with the grief of the affected families and the provincial government stands shoulder to shoulder with them in this hour of sorrow and grief,' Saif added.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Pakistan: 3 TTP militants killed in Karachi; one masterminded attack on Chinese nationals in 2024
Representative image. Three Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants were killed in an encounter with Pakistani security forces in Karachi, officials confirmed on Monday. Among those killed was Zafran, who was identified as the mastermind of a November 2024 attack on two Chinese engineers in Pakistan's largest city. He carried a bounty of Rs 20 million. The operation was conducted late Sunday night in the Manghopir area by the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and intelligence agencies, CTD official Raja Umer Khattab told Dawn . The TTP men opened fire when they saw security personnel approaching, triggering a firefight which lasted over an hour. Authorities recovered a suicide jacket, three grenades, a Kalashnikov rifle, two pistols, and a large quantity of ammunition from the site. On November 5 last year, a private security guard opened fire on two Chinese nationals at a textile mill in Karachi, injuring both before fleeing. Pakistan has witnessed a sharp increase in militant attacks—particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan—since the TTP ended its ceasefire with the federal government in late 2022. Founded in 2007, the TTP is an umbrella organisation of various extremist groups seeking to impose a strict version of Islamic law across Pakistan. It has claimed responsibility for numerous high-profile attacks, including the 2008 Marriott Hotel bombing in Islamabad, the 2009 assault on army headquarters, and multiple strikes on security installations.
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
TTP terrorist 'behind Chinese engineers attack' killed in Karachi operation
Listen to article Three terrorists from banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), including one allegedly involved in last year's attack on Chinese engineers, were killed in a joint operation by the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and intelligence agencies in Karachi's Manghopir area late Sunday night. On 5 November 2024, a private security guard at a textile mill in Karachi opened fire and seriously injured two Chinese nationals. According to police, deceased suspect, identified as Zafran, had a Rs20 million bounty on him and was accused of involvement in the 2024 Liberty Textile attack targetting Chinese nationals. He was also linked to the Karachi Police Office (KPO) assault. Read: Two Chinese injured in shooting at Karachi mill The incident prompted a pledge by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to enhance security for Chinese citizens in Pakistan. He emphasised that the protection of Chinese nationals remained a top priority, especially given ongoing China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects, vital to the bilateral relationship between the two countries. Read more: Ensuring security of Chinese nationals govt's top priority: Mohsin Naqvi CTD Chief Raja Umar Khattab said the raid was launched based on credible intelligence regarding a terrorist hideout in Fatima Society on Ijtema Gah Road. Police said terrorists opened fire when they spotted them approaching, triggering a gunfight that lasted over an hour. All three suspected terrorists were killed, said police, adding that a fully assembled suicide jacket, three grenades, a Kalashnikov rifle, two pistols and a large cache of ammunition were recovered from the site. Moreover, police found a diary which listed two to three high-value prospective targets. The second deceased suspect was identified as Qudratullah and the third's identity is yet to be confirmed. The CTD chief said the three slain suspected terrorists belonged to TTP cell dispatched from Afghanistan. Intelligence officials had been surveilling the cell for several days, he added. Khattab further added that the TTP cell in question is believed to have five members but only three were present at the safehouse during the raid. A search operation in the area and further investigation are under way.
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Three 'TTP terrorists' killed in Swat IBO
Listen to article Three wanted terrorists and "key operatives" of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were killed in a joint operation conducted by the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and police in Barikot tehsil of Swat district, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, on Friday. In a statement, the CTD (Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa) noted that a targeted raid was launched on "verified intelligence" regarding the presence of the terrorists. "Upon interception, the suspects opened indiscriminate fire on the CTD team. The CTD responded with tactical precision, neutralising all three militants on the spot," the statement read. The Swat CTD referred to the eliminated terrorists as Fitna-al Khawarij, a term used by the state for members of the outlawed TTP, and added that the operation was supported by local police. The statement noted that the terrorists had been involved in IED blasts targeting law enforcement convoys, armed attacks on police posts and infrastructure, and martyrdom of at least three police officials. Among the slain militants was Ajmal alias Waqas, son of Abdul Ghaffar and a resident of Mulkabad, Mingora, the statement noted. He was reportedly wanted in nine terrorism-related cases and had been involved in the targeted killing of Village Defence Committee (VDC) members, an attempted assassination of an advocate and extortion from civilians. A bounty of Rs2 million had been placed on him for his capture or elimination. Another terrorist was identified as Matiullah alias Ishaq/Junaid, son of Ibrat Shah and a resident of Dubsar, Martung in Shangla district. He was wanted in two terrorism cases and had been linked to targeted killings of individuals assisting the law enforcement agencies. The third slain terrorist was identified as Rahimullah Rahmani alias Roohullah, son of Amanullah and a resident of Shirey, Nuristan, Afghanistan. He was wanted in two terrorism-related cases and had been involved in targeted killings and facilitating terrorist activities. "Intelligence reports further confirm that the cell was operating under the direction of foreign-based, foreign-funded handlers, with active plans to escalate attacks on security forces, public infrastructure, and pro-state individuals," the CTD statement read. It added that the operation stood as a testament to the dedication, precision, and inter-agency coordination of Swat CTD and district police who remained committed to safeguarding regional peace and eliminating the threat of militancy. North Waziristan Two terrorists were reportedly killed and several others sustained injuries during a joint operation conducted by police and security forces in the Shiwa tehsil of North Waziristan. The operation took place within the jurisdiction of Chowk Police Post. Hangu Meanwhile, a key terror suspect involved in the attack on Hangu District Police Officer (DPO) Muhammad Khalid Khan was killed in a follow-up operation. The operation was carried out by Hangu police late Friday night. According to official sources, the intelligence-based operation was launched in the Naryab area within the jurisdiction of Doaba Police Station. Tank An injured terrorist belonging to a banned outfit surrendered to the security forces in Tank district. The suspect had reportedly been involved in anti-state activities.
Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Pakistan, Afghanistan strike trade deal
Listen to article Pakistan and Afghanistan on Wednesday inked a preferential trade agreement (PTA), aimed at reducing tariffs on different products. At present, tariffs on agreed products stand at 60%, but both sides will slash levies up to 22% under the new agreement. It is termed a historic achievement by Afghanistan and Pakistan. The two governments have been locked in a row over the role of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) as Islamabad alleges that Kabul refrains from taking action against the TTP, which has roots in Afghanistan. Despite tensions, Islamabad and Kabul reached a trade deal after two days of talks in the Pakistani capital. Afghanistan's Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce Mullah Ahmadullah Zahid and Pakistan's Commerce Secretary Javed Paul signed the agreement. They have reached an understanding to cut tariffs in a bid to enhance bilateral trade. According to the agreement, Pakistan will reduce tariffs on four food items – grapes, pomegranates, apples and tomatoes. Similarly, Afghanistan has agreed to slash tariffs on four commodities including mangoes, oranges, bananas and potatoes. Previously, the tariffs on these food items had been more than 60%. This one-year agreement will come into force on August 1, 2025, under which they will reduce tariffs on additional commodities as well. According to the signed pact, Afghanistan's Ministry of Industry and Commerce and Pakistan's Ministry of Commerce have agreed to implement an Early Harvest Programme to boost trade flows and economic cooperation between the two countries. They have reached an understanding to provide preferential tariff concessions on a selected list of agricultural goods under the Early Harvest Programme. Concessions will be provided by reducing tariffs and duties on products originating in respective territories and destined for the other. Afghanistan will export tomatoes, grapes, apples and pomegranates while Pakistan will ship potatoes, kinnows, bananas and mangoes. The PTA rate, which includes customs duty and other levies, on Afghan tomatoes will be 22% with volume at 400,000 tons. Meanwhile, the levies on grapes, with a volume of 230,000 tons, apples (100,000 tons) and pomegranates (100,000 tons) will be 27%. For Pakistani goods, the PTA duties on potatoes have been reduced up to 22% for 400,000 tons. Moreover, the duties have been slashed to 27% on kinnows (100,000 tons), bananas (230,000 tons) and mangoes (100,000 tons). The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan will issue the Certificate of Origin whereas from the Afghan side, the Certificate of Origin will be released by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. Islamabad and Kabul will implement the Early Harvest Programme beginning August 1, 2025. Tariff concessions will be granted for one year from August 1, 2025 to July 31, 2026. The period may be extended upon mutual agreement. All concessions are based on reciprocity and parity. The two countries will also constitute a PTA implementation committee to oversee the Early Harvest Programme. It will include representatives from the Customs and agricultural ministries of both countries. The committee will meet every month and will monitor, evaluate and recommend improvements in the programme.
