Four TTP terrorists involved in Islamabad suicide attack arrested

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday claimed to have arrested four members of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in connection with the suicide bombing outside Islamabad’s district courts on Tuesday.

“In a joint operation conducted by the Intelligence Bureau Division and CTD, four members of the TTP/Fitna al-Khawarij terrorist cell involved in the suicide attack at the Judicial Complex G-11, Islamabad, have been apprehended,” the Government of Pakistan said in a statement issued on X.

The arrests come after the suicide blast outside the District Judicial Complex in G-11 that killed 12 people and injured over 36 others. The attacker detonated explosives near a police vehicle after failing to enter the court premises.

The government said that during the interrogation, the handler of the suicide bomber, identified as Sajidullah alias Sheena, confessed that TTP Commander Saeedur Rehman alias Daadullah contacted him through the Telegram app to carry out a suicide attack in Islamabad to cause maximum casualties of law enforcement agencies.

The government said that TTP Commander Daadullah is a resident of Charmang, Bajaur, and is currently in Afghanistan, serving as TTP’s Intelligence Chief for Nawagai, Bajaur

“Daadullah sent pictures of the suicide bomber (SB) Usman alias Qari to Sajidullah alias Sheena for receiving him. SB Usman Qari belonged to the Shinwari tribe and was a resident of Achin, Nangarhar, Afghanistan. When he reached Pakistan from Afghanistan, Sajidullah alias Sheena arranged his stay in a residence near Islamabad,” it added.

The statement continued, “On the directions of Afghanistan-based TTP/FAK (Fitna al-Khawarij) Commander Daadullah, Sajidullah alias Sheena collected a suicide jacket from Akhun Baba graveyard in Peshawar and brought it to Islamabad.”

On the day of the blast, the handler “set the suicide jacket” on the suicide bomber Usman alias Qari, the government added.

“The network was handled and guided at every step by the Fitna al-Khawarij/TTP high command based in Afghanistan. The entire cell involved in the incident, including its commander and three other members, has been arrested,” the government said.

The entire cell involved in the incident, including its commander and three other members, has been arrested. Investigations are continuing, and more revelations and arrests are expected,” the statement added.

The suicide explosion at the Judicial Complex left 12 people martyred and at least 36 wounded, including lawyers and petitioners, and prompted the suspension of court proceedings. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said the attacker detonated near a police vehicle after failing to enter the courthouse.