Nine al-Qaeda terrorists plotting attacks on intel offices killed in Pakistan’s Punjab

Lahore: Nine al-Qaeda terrorists, plotting to attack intelligence agencies offices here, were on Wednesday killed in Pakistan’s Punjab province by counter-terrorism police and seized explosives and arms from their possession.

Punjab Police’s Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) said it received intelligence reports that some terrorists were hiding in Kheru Ki Malian in Sheikhupura district (some 50 kms from here) and planning to attack offices of intelligence agencies here.

“A CTD team along with police surrounded the hideout of the terrorists in early hours of today and asked them to surrender. The terrorists instead opened fire on the raiding team. It returned the fire and in the shootout all nine terrorists present in the hideout were killed,” a CTD official said.

The terrorists belonged to Al-Qaeda, he said.

The CTD said six kgs explosives, five Kalashnikov, five motorcycles, pistols and scores of bullets have been from the hideout.

A few days ago, the CTD had killed five members of al-Qaeda in Gujranwala district, some 80 kms from here.

PTI