Pakistan arrests four Afghanistan-based TTP terrorists over Islamabad bombing

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has arrested four members of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) cell behind the Nov. 11 suicide bombing outside Islamabad’s G-11 District Judicial Complex, including the group’s commander, according to an official government statement released Friday.

The suspects were detained in a joint Intelligence Bureau and Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) operation that dismantled what authorities described as a Fitna al-Khawarij network, Pakistan’s term for the TTP, invoking a historical radical sect known for rebellion and violent extremism.

According to the statement, Sajidullah, alias Sheena, identified as the handler of the bomber, “confessed” during interrogation that TTP/FAK Commander Saeed-ur-Rehman, alias Daadullah, had tasked him with carrying out an attack in Islamabad “to cause maximum casualties of law enforcement agencies.”

The government said, “TTP/FAK Commander Saeed-ur-Rehman, alias Daadullah, a resident of Charmang, Bajaur, and currently in Afghanistan, contacted Sajidullah, alias Sheena, through the Telegram application to carry out a suicide attack in Islamabad.”

It added, “Daadullah sent pictures of the suicide bomber Usman, alias Qari, to Sajidullah for receiving him upon his arrival.”

The statement continued: “Suicide bomber Usman, alias Qari, belonged to the Shinwari tribe and was a resident of Achin, Nangarhar, Afghanistan.” It said, “When he reached Pakistan from Afghanistan, Sajidullah, alias Sheena, arranged his stay in a residence near Islamabad.”

Following Daadullah’s instructions, “Sajidullah, alias Sheena, collected a suicide jacket from Akhun Baba graveyard in Peshawar and brought it to Islamabad.” On the day of the attack, the statement added, “Sajidullah Sheena set the suicide jacket on SB Usman, alias Qari.”

The network was “handled and guided at every step” by the Afghanistan-based TTP leadership, the statement said, confirming that “the entire cell involved in the incident, including its commander and three other members, has been arrested.”

Authorities said investigations are continuing and that “more revelations and arrests are expected.”

At least 12 people were martyred and dozens injured when the attacker detonated explosives outside the District Judicial Complex after being prevented from entering the premises. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi earlier said the bomber blew himself up near a police vehicle at approximately 12:39 p.m.