LAHORE: Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a banned terrorist organization, has reportedly formed a new wing made up of fierce, well-trained, and well-equipped militants who intend to target Punjab police officers in order to gain entry into the province. As a result, police in the Dera Ghazi Khan region are on high alert.
According to reliable sources, the new TTP wing’s danger has made at least three DG Khan check stations, located in the harsh tribal areas along the provincial borders (Lakhani, Jhangi, and Triman), particularly susceptible.
Due to the gravity of the threat, a number of military and civilian organizations have also been involved in formulating a plan of action against the TTP wing, which is allegedly behind some recent lethal assaults on law enforcement officers in Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). The TTP has grown in power and terror among the local tribal population since forming the group known as “Istrna,” which focuses on targeted attacks on Punjab’s law enforcement institutions.
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He claims that at first there were just 10 or 12 militants in the gang, but according to certain new intelligence assessments, that number has already risen to about 50.
According to the source, early on Tuesday of last week, the Jhangi border post of the Vohawa police station in Taunsa Circle was attacked by militants from the Istrna wing, who surprised the police by using several local hostages as a human shield to get into DG Khan area. He continues, “It was also reported that some local tribal people were feeding these militants.”
According to him, the group has also established contact with the infamous Ladi criminal gang in the Kutcha area, urging the criminals to assist them in carrying out attacks on police checkpoints, according to intelligence sources.
The official went on to say that the militants had prepared an attack on the Jhangi check post following the KP police’s 13-kilometer withdrawal from a number of border check stations close to DG Khan.
Aware of the seriousness of the situation, he said, the Pakistan Army has stepped up its presence in the areas under DI Khan’s control in addition to the BLA militancy to oppose the TTP wing. He claims that Wasim Sial, the Additional IG for Punjab CTD, met with the top police officers and paid DG Khan a visit in response to the actions of this organization.
According to the official, the newly formed TTP offshoot is also connected to a violent organization that operates in a neighboring nation.
He claims that the reckless attack on the Jhangi checkpoint has highlighted the shortcomings of the local police force. In comparison to the local police, he continues, the insurgents appear to be better prepared and carry the newest ammunition.
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He claims that in order to prevent militants from infiltrating Punjab’s tribal areas from DI Khan and to ensure the safe transfer of police officers to conflict zones, the DG Khan police need armored personnel carriers (APCs).
He claims that the single APC utilized by the local police was imported from Rajanpur in the 1980s and is deemed hazardous for the transportation of personnel who must engage in combat with well-trained terrorists carrying the newest weapons in the treacherous, steep terrain of DG Khan.
The new TTP group’s existence was verified by DG Khan Regional Police Officer Sajjad Hussain Manj, who said that local law enforcement was employing every means at their disposal to track down and eradicate these extremists.
