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PESHAWAR:
The Anti-Terrorism Department (CTD) of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police on Saturday said it had foiled a potential major attack after arresting a woman suspected of planning a suicide attack during a targeted raid in Dera Ismail Khan.
Officials said the arrest took place in the locality of Sheikh Yousaf Khema Basti following intelligence information that a young woman, allegedly affiliated with a banned militant group, was preparing for a suicide mission.
Following a tip-off, a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team conducted an operation at the identified premises.
According to a CTD spokesperson, the suspect, identified only by the initial “Z”, was taken into police custody and subjected to preliminary questioning.
During interrogation, she reportedly told investigators that she had trained under a militant commander named Shah Wali, also known as Tariq Kochi, who authorities say is now deceased.
Police said the woman further claimed she had recently agreed to carry out a suicide attack. She reportedly revealed that a suicide vest and a designated target were to be provided by another commander identified as Asim.
During the search operation, officers recovered a bag containing a pistol along with ammunition, two mobile phones allegedly used to maintain contact with members of the banned organization, an external battery and other personal effects.
The police also said they had seized a bottle of perfume intended, according to them, to hide the smell of explosives.
The suspect was formally arrested and transferred to an undisclosed location for further investigation. Authorities said efforts were underway to verify his statements and identify and trace those responsible.
Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed congratulated the CTD personnel involved in the operation and announced a cash reward for the team.
In a statement, the CTD reiterated that indiscriminate operations across the province would continue to foil terrorist plots and impose a zero-tolerance policy against anti-state elements.
