BANNU/LAHORE: A suspected terrorist was killed in an exchange of fire with the security forces and police near bordering areas of Ghoriwala and Naurang Police Station in Lakki Marwat, the Counter Terrorism Department said on Wednesday.

He was identified as Waheed Ullah alias Usama, who was most wanted in recent terrorist activities and cases to the police and CTD Bannu. The CTD team conducted an intelligence based operation in the area on a tip.

A submachine gun (SMG) and ammunition were recovered from the site.

“The terrorist was planning a terrorist activity,” police spokesperson Shahid Hameed said. The statement claimed that terrorists opened fire after watching the incoming police team. The security forces also fired in response.

The search operation was under way in the area.

Meanwhile, a commander of a banned outfit among two terrorists was arrested in separate search operations in the twin cities.

The commander was identified as Khalid, who had obtained a Pakistani identity card with a fake name, the CTD claimed. A heavy cache of explosive devices was recovered from his possession. It was supposed to be “used for terrorist activities” in Rawalpindi.

“Khalid while in interrogation revealed that he was appointed as Amir [outlawed organisation] Da’esh Korasan Dil Sawali Noor Gul after pledging allegiance to the former head of Da’esh Abu Bakar Baghdadi six years ago.”

The CTD claimed that the banned outfit leader was jailed in Jalalabad and Pull Kharchi after the Afghan forces arrested him in 2019. “He [Khalid] fled to Pakistan from Afghanistan after jailbreak when the Taliban came to power in Afghanistan.”

In another operation, the CTD Punjab in coordination with the civil intelligence institutions claimed to have arrested a banned outfit member along with explosives. “He entered Rawalpindi, Islamabad with a terrorist activity plan.”

Further investigation was under way.