Pakistani security forces raided a remote counter-terrorism center in the northwest, freeing several security personnel held hostage two days earlier by the Pakistani Teeq-e-Taliban (TTP) armed group. The fate of the hostages inside remained unclear as the entire site in the Bannu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which borders Afghanistan, was about to be cleared on Tuesday. A security source told Reuters that the military had recaptured the center, although neither the military nor the government had issued a statement yet. Sources said he had six guards and several detainees at the center, who refused to identify themselves because they were not authorized to speak to the media.
“The operation is complete, there is no resistance. Security forces have entered the compound,” a security source said. He said hostage details and casualty figures will be released after the evacuation operation is completed. About 20 fighters of the TTP – also known as the Taliban of Pakistan due to its ties to Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban – were reportedly trapped in the center. “All options have failed and the terrorists have decided to use force after refusing to free innocent people,” he told the media on condition of anonymity.
Pakistani authorities started talks on Monday to resolve the standoff with the militants. The TTP has emerged to force the government to enforce a strict interpretation of Islamic law in the country, release its members from government custody, and reduce its military presence in former tribal areas. The group has stepped up its attacks across Pakistan since announcing the end of a ceasefire with Afghanistan’s Taliban-brokered government last month.
