Monday, Pakistan’s security forces in North Waziristan gunned down Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) commander Safiullah during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in the Mir Ali area.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the TTP leader murdered four female representatives of an NGO. He also target-killed engineers belonging to the Frontier Works Organisation in November 2020.
In addition, The TTP commander planned and executed IED attacks on security forces, extortion, and kidnapping for ransom. However, due to the diligence of security forces, Safiullah is now dead.
Notorious TTP terrorist commander Safiullah was killed in an operation by 🇵🇰 security forces in Mir Ali NWD.
Safiullah was involved in killing of Female NGO workers in 2021 and target killing of FWO engineers in 2020. He planned and executed IED attacks on Sec Forces, said #ISPR— Sumaira Khan (@sumrkhan1) September 20, 2021
During the operation, the security forces also recovered a huge cache of weapons and ammunition.
Read more: TTP leader blacklisted as ‘Global Terrorist’ by UNSC
TTP: A nuisance for Pakistan
TTP is notorious for carrying out terror attacks within Pakistan. It frequently targets Pakistan’s security forces. Earlier this month, TTP carried out a suicide attack on Pakistani soldiers near the Afghan border. The attack left four paramilitary soldiers dead and 20 wounded.
Moreover, in 2014, members from TTP stormed Army Public School in Peshawar and massacred 150 people which included 132 children.
However, in a bid to protect the citizens of Pakistan, security forces conduct frequent operations to eliminate TTP members.
In June this year, a Pakistan Army soldier embraced martyrdom and two TTP terrorists were killed in a gunfight during an IBO in the Spinwam area of North Waziristan.
Read more: Op-ed: TTP now making last-ditch efforts to stay relevant
The ISPR said the terrorists killed in the operation carried out terror plots against the security forces.
Similarly in May, the Counter-Terrorism Department killed a TTP commander during an operation in Quetta. The terrorist was involved in attacks on security forces and an attack on Civil Hospital Quetta in 2016 in which a large number of lawyers and other people were killed.
Pakistan even sought the Afghan Taliban’s help over the TTP issue. Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed revealed that the Afghan Taliban reassured Pakistan that TTP would not receive permission to operate in Afghanistan against Pakistan.
Read more: Pakistan to ask Taliban to take action against TTP
Moreover, the Afghan Taliban Commission warned leaders of TTP and demanded that the terror group settles its issues with Pakistan.