Militant ‘mastermind’ of Kohat Police Lines attack killed in Lakki Marwat operation

A key militant commander, Zahid Gul, was killed in an intelligence-based operation carried out jointly by the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and security forces in Lakki Marwat, officials said on Friday.

According to CTD Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gul was the main mastermind of the suicide attack on the Old Police Lines in Kohat. He belonged to the Gul Bahadur group. CTD officials said he personally guided the explosives-laden vehicle used in the attack.

The September 18 attack began when a vehicle packed with explosives hit the gate of the police compound and exploded, followed by a gun battle with militants. At least 21 people, mostly policemen, were killed. Ittehad-ul-Mujahideen Pakistan, an alliance that includes the Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group, claimed responsibility.

CTD officials said Gul was among the most wanted militants in several serious terrorism cases. They said he was present during the robbery of a bank in Billitang, in which Rs6 million was looted. The money was then distributed among militant groups in Bannu, in the Bakakhel and Jani Khel areas, according to the CTD.

The CTD said Gul was in close contact with the Gul Bahadur group and helped send several suicide bombers to Kohat. Officials said he also brought a suicide bomber for an attack on the New Police Lines in Kohat about two months ago, but the attack was foiled.

The CTD said his next targets included Pakistan Air Force (PAF) installations and a police training school in Kohat. Officials said other members of his network were already in the custody of security agencies.