Peshawar IBO Kills Alleged Tarlai Attack Mastermind, Four ISKP Militants

Five alleged members of the outlawed Islamic State Khorasan Province were killed during an intelligence-based operation by the Counter Terrorism Department near Shamshatoo Camp on the outskirts of Peshawar, according to provincial counter-terrorism officials. Authorities said one of those killed was a wanted militant accused of helping plan a deadly suicide bombing at an imambargah in Islamabad earlier this year.

The operation was launched after intelligence indicated that suspected militants were staying at a compound near the Kabul English Language Centre. Officials said the group was allegedly preparing attacks on sensitive installations, imambargahs and churches. CTD SWAT personnel surrounded the compound and secured possible entry and exit routes before moving inside, taking additional precautions because the building contained a basement.

According to the department, militants opened fire when security personnel entered the compound, triggering an exchange of fire in which five suspects were killed. A drone was used to monitor movement during the operation. Bomb disposal and forensic teams were subsequently called to the location to secure evidence and carry out legal and technical procedures at the scene.

Officials said an submachine gun, four pistols, two hand grenades, five magazines, a locally manufactured improvised explosive device and a large quantity of ammunition were recovered. Two of the dead were identified through documents found at the location as Imran, son of Dilawar Khan and a resident of Bajaur district, and Shahidullah, son of Miraj from Upper Mohmand. Authorities were still working to establish the identities of the other three.

The CTD described Imran, also known by the aliases Abdullah, Bilal and Abu Bakar, as a highly wanted suspect linked to 20 terrorism cases involving bombings, targeted killings and attacks on police, security personnel and political figures. Investigators alleged that he was connected to the killings of Maulana Khan Zeb, former senator Hidayatullah Khan and Rehan Zeb, as well as other violent incidents in Peshawar and adjoining districts.

Officials further alleged that Imran played a central role in the February 6 suicide bombing at Imambargah Khadijah al-Kubra in Islamabad's Tarlai area. Investigators said he arranged a suicide jacket from Bajaur and transported the bomber from Nowshera to the capital, while Shahidullah allegedly carried out reconnaissance and identified the place of worship as the target. At least 32 people were killed and about 169 others were injured in that attack during Friday prayers.

The government had announced a Rs12 million reward for information leading to Imran's arrest or whereabouts. The CTD also linked him to the 2023 suicide bombing at a Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl workers' convention in Bajaur. Authorities said further legal proceedings were under way and a search and clearance operation was continuing in the area, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's police leadership praised the personnel involved in the raid.