Top TTP commander killed in encounter: Police

NOWSHERA: Security forces claim to have killed a top commander of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in a police encounter in Nowshera on Saturday.

Police officials said that Qari Basit was killed in the Tarkhel area of Nowshera during a clash between militants and security forces, police officials confirmed.

The police said they acted on intelligence provided by militants apprehended earlier.

It was also disclosed that the TTP commander was wanted in several murder cases, robbery and terrorism including killing of security persons.

In 2007, Basit escaped from Kohat jail after being convicted and imprisoned for 25 years. He then rose to the higher ranks amongst the TTP and targeted a number of police personnel to release militants in custody.

Basit belonged to Kohat and was responsible for logistics and transfer of funds to the militants, according to sources.

A kalashnikov and two grenades were recovered from Basit. According to police, Basit was also known as Commander Jamaluddin and Janat Gul.

Clashes had been going on since Friday.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2011