QUETTA: At least four suspected terrorists of outlawed Jamaatul Ahrar were killed in an exchange of fire with the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) during in an intelligence based operation near Hazar Gunji area of Quetta on Monday.

“The CTD Balochistan got a source information that narco-terrorists of JuA intend to transport interprovincial shipment of huge quantity of heroin, concealed in a truck bearing reg no. TKS-578 from Gulistan district Killa Abdullah to Karachi, in order to meet the finances of their terror outfit in Pakistan,” the CTD spokesman said in a statement.

The department had blocked the road near Gulzar Abad area of Police Station Shalkot Quetta while acting on the tip-off.

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It claimed that unknown and armed “narco-terrorists” onboard started firing on the team when they signalled the truck to stop for checking. The CTD officers took precautionary measures and resorted to return fire.

“The terrorists attempted to flee towards the southern mountains. Firing continued for almost half an hour, the raid party chased the fire raid and when the firing stopped four bodies of unknown narco-terrorists were recovered,” the spokesman said.

What was recovered?

• Around 27kg of drugs (heroin)
• At least four 9mm pistols along with 17 live rounds
• Truck bearing registration number TKS-578

It stated that a first information report (FIR) was being lodged at the police station CTD Quetta and more raids were planned for other areas.

The Anti-Narcotics Force simultaneously has also been conducting counter operations against drugs in the country. Around $47.539 million worth of drugs were seized by the ANF in 69 counter operations in the country, it said in its’ July 28 press release.