GILGIT-BALTISTAN: Five personnel of the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) were martyred and another five injured during an exchange of fire with suspected terrorists in Chilas city of Diamir district in Gilgit-Baltistan early on Tuesday.
According to a report, two civilians received injuries as well.
According to the police, the CTD raided a house in Rohnai mohalla to arrest alleged arms smugglers. During the raid, the suspects opened fire and managed to escape.
The deceased were identified as Inspector Sohrab Khan, Junaid Karim, Zia, Ishtiaq Ahmed and Ghulam Murtaza.
Gilgit-Baltistan police spokesperson Mubarak Jan said that the operation was carried out after police received information that criminals wanted for murder and attempted murder were seeking shelter at a house. The operation was carried out at approximately two in the morning, he said.
He added that police cordoned off the area immediately after the incident took place and were carrying out raids in adjoining areas. The spokesperson said that the bodies of the martyred officials had been shifted to a nearby hospital.
GB Counterterrorism Force AIG Hafeezur Rehman said that after police personnel entered the house and started searching a man present inside, at least three suspects hiding in other places of the house opened indiscriminate fire on the security officials, leading to the casualties.
During the exchange of fire, two women police personnel narrowly escaped the bullets, the AIG added.
Police had been keeping the house and its occupants under watch for a while, the officer said, revealing that the property was being used to sell weapons to criminals across the region.
He said the house will be searched for any hidden weapons after clearing the debris from it and the burial of the martyred police personnel. GB caretaker Chief Minister Mir Afzal has sought a report on the incident from IG Dr Mujeebur Rehman and directed that the accused be arrested immediately.–Agencies
