TTP launches new militant wing to target police in Punjab
Dera Ghazi Khan region police are on high-alert following reports that the banned terrorist organisation Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has launched a new wing comprising highly-trained, well-equipped and ferocious militants, to specifically target the Punjab police personnel to make inroads into the province’s territory.
As per well-placed sources, at least three DG Khan check posts — Lakhani, Jhangi and Triman — situated in the hard tribal areas along the provincial borders, have especially become vulnerable because of the emerging threat of the new TTP wing.
Given the seriousness of the threat, various military and civil agencies have also been involved in devising a strategy to combat the TTP wing, which, the sources say, is responsible for some recent deadly attacks on the law-enforcement agencies personnel in Dera Ismail Khan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
A senior official told Dawn on Sunday that the TTP, after launching the outfit named ‘Istrna’, which is focusing on targeted attacks on Punjab’s law enforcement agencies, has increased its influence and fear among the local tribal people.
DG Khan RPO confirms the existence of new TTP group
He says that initially, the group comprised only 10 to 12 militants, however, some recent intelligence reports suggest that its strength has now increased to around 50.