Security Forces Kill Kohat Attack Mastermind in Joint Operation: Lakki Marwat

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police said the mastermind of the Kohat Police Lines attack, terrorist Zahid Gul, was killed during a joint operation in Lakki Marwat.

According to the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the CTD Lakki Marwat and security forces carried out an intelligence-based operation in FR Lakki Marwat. During the operation, key terrorist commander Zahid Gul, linked to the Gul Bahadur group, was killed.

The CTD said Zahid Gul was the main mastermind behind the suicide attack on the old Kohat Police Lines. He had reportedly guided the explosives-laden vehicle used in the attack. He was also wanted in several other serious terrorist incidents.

According to the CTD, Zahid Gul was present at the scene of the Bili Tang bank robbery, in which Rs6 million was stolen. The stolen money was reportedly distributed among terrorist groups in Bakkakhel and Jani Khel in Bannu.

The CTD further said Zahid Gul had close links with the Gul Bahadur group and was involved in bringing several suicide attackers to Kohat. Two months ago, he had also brought a suicide attacker to target the new Kohat Police Lines, but the attack was foiled.

The CTD said his next targets were a Pakistan Air Force facility and the Police Training School in Kohat. Other members of the terrorist network are already in the custody of security agencies.