ISPR: 12 militants killed in TTP hideout raid

Islamabad The Associated Press

Security forces acting on intelligence raided a hideout of Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) along the border with Afghanistan, triggering an intense shootout that left 12 militants dead, the military said Wednesday.

The pre-dawn raid came amid soaring tensions in Pakistan and in the aftermath of a mosque bombing last week that killed 101 people in Peshawar. The officials blamed the blast on the proscribed group which denied involvement after initially claiming it.

The group is suspected to have a strong presence in Lakki Marwat, where they have launched multiple attacks in recent months. Overnight in the district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, security forces launched the operation after monitoring the insurgents for a week, according to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

“Terrorists were lured in by providing a vehicle for escape that was intercepted and neutralised,” it said.

A day after rejection of bail by a local court, Awami Muslim League (AML) chief and former interior minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Wednesday filed a post-arrest bail plea with the district and sessions court while another court granted the Murree Police one-day transit remand of AML Chief Sheikh Rashid in the same case of remarks against former president Asif Ali Zardari. As per details, District and Sessions Judge Tahir Mahmood sent the bail plea to Additional District and Sessions Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra and he will take up the case for hearing on Thursday (tomorrow). In the petition, AML Chief Sh Rashid stated that with the assistance of police, the prosecution has filed false cases against him and despite the notice suspension by LHC they filed the case. “The police have misused their power and the case was registered on a political basis against me”, he claimed. The plea further stated that there is no need for an investigation from Sh Rashid in Adiala Jail, thereby the court is requested to accept his bail plea. Muree Police get one-day transit-remand of Sh Rashid Meanwhile, a local District and Sessions Court granted the Murree Police one-day transit remand of AML Chief and former interior minister Sheikh Rashid. The Islamabad Police arrested Sh Rashid on Feb 2, over remarks against former president Asif Ali Zardari. Later, another case was also registered against him at the Murree police station for manhandling a police official at the time of his arrest. The veteran politician was brought to the court amid tight security and as the proceeding commenced, Ali Bukhari and Intizar Panjhota, the counsels for Sh Rashid — and the prosecutor presented their arguments.

Pakistan draws attention to escalating Islamophobia on human fraternity day

UNITED NATIONS STAFF REPORT

Pakistan highlighted the growing phenomenon of Islamophobia and escalating hate speech against Muslims in some parts of the world at a virtual event held to mark the Day of Human Fraternity on Tuesday. “While none of the religious communities are immune from violence based on religion or belief, a particularly alarming global trend is the resurgence in Islamophobia that has emerged as a new form of racism characterised by xenophobia, negative profiling and stereotyping of Muslims,” Munir Akram, Pakistan’s permanent representative at UN, said in remarks at the event organised jointly by the missions of Egypt and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and UN Alliance of Civilisations (UNAOC). The Day of Human Fraternity was established by the General Assembly on December 21, 2020, as a way to promote greater cultural and religious tolerance. The declaration “Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together” was co-authored by Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of al-Azhar, Ahmed el-Tayeb.

The military said troops also recorded a case of weapons, munition and Afghan currency.

There was no immediate comment from TTP.

The overnight operation against TTP was the first major confrontation since November, when the militant group halted a monthslong ceasefire with the government and resumed attacks on troops and police across the country. The TTP, which maintains sanctuaries in neighbouring Afghanistan, is separate from but a close ally of the Afghan Taliban.

TTP has waged an insurgency in Pakistan in the past 15 years, seeking stricter enforcement of religious laws, the release of its members in government custody and a reduction in the military presence in areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa it has long used as its base. Its fighters, most of whom are hiding in Afghanistan, have been emboldened since the Afghan Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in August 2021 as US and NATO troops pulled out of the country after 20 years of war.