A major commander of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan was killed in an intelligence-based operation in Lower Dir, Khyber Pakthunkhwa on Thursday, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations.
Security forces received a tip-off about a TTP fighting unit travelling on motorcycles in Timergara, Dir. The unit was asked to stop but refused resulting in engagement.
During the engagement, two terrorists were killed. One of the terrorists has been identified as Hafeezullah alias Kochwan.
ISPR added that Hafeezullah was a high-value target and had a Rs10 million bounty on his head.
Hafeezullah is said to hold a computer science degree and was accused of involvement in several high-profile terrorist attacks.
Among others, the terrorist had been behind the suicide attack in Dir in 2010 which had killed three American soldiers.
The US troops were attached to the Dir Scouts regiment of the Frontier Corps as a counter-terrorism training team. The team was on its way to inaugurate a school in Dir when the attack took place.
Azam Tariq, the TTP spokesman at the time, had described the attack as a retaliation for Blackwater’s activities.
According to a recent report, a total of 158 terrorists were killed in 73 operations were carried out in 15 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in March. The highest number of terrorists killed was in North Waziristan with 40.
