The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) Peshawar Region has killed five terrorists of the banned Islamic State (Daesh) Khorasan during an operation at a compound of the Kabul English Language Centre in the limits of Armar Police Station, near Shamshatu Camp. According to the CTD, the militants were allegedly planning major terrorist attacks, including bomb blasts targeting sensitive installations, imambargahs and churches.
Those killed included key militant commander Imran alias Abdullah, along with Bilal and Abu Bakr. Another militant, Shahidullah, son of Miraj and a resident of Upper Mohmand, was also identified. The CTD said security personnel recovered an SMG, four pistols, two hand grenades, five magazines, a locally made improvised explosive device (IED), and several rounds of ammunition from the militants.
According to the department, Imran alias Abu Bakr was a wanted militant and had been involved in around 20 terrorism cases, including bomb attacks in Islamabad and other districts, as well as targeted killings of police officers and political leaders. He was also wanted in connection with the cases involving the killings of Maulana Khan Zeb, Senator Hidayatullah and Rehan Zeb.
The CTD further claimed that Imran alias Abu Bakr was involved in the suicide attack on an imambargah in Tarlai, Islamabad, on February 6, 2026. He allegedly arranged the suicide jacket from Bajaur and transported the suicide bomber from Nowshera to Tarlai, while Shahidullah reportedly conducted reconnaissance and identified the target.
Imran alias Abu Bakr was also wanted in connection with the 2023 suicide bombing at a JUI-F workers’ convention in Bajaur. A reward of Rs12 million had been announced for information leading to his arrest or whereabouts. The CTD said efforts to identify the remaining militants killed in the operation are ongoing, while a search and clearance operation is also underway in the area.