Maps
Magazine

MILITARY

CTD Arrests Suspected Female Suicide Bomber in Dera, Foils Major Attack
KP’s CTD claims to have foiled a major terror plot after arresting a suspected female suicide bomber in Dera’s Sheikh Yousaf Khema Basti. Police say the suspect was linked to a banned outfit and preparing for an attack.
ND
by News Desk
2026-02-21
CTD Arrests Suspected Female Suicide Bomber in Dera, Foils Major Attack

The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police on Saturday claimed to have thwarted a major terrorist attack by arresting a suspected female suicide bomber during a raid in the Sheikh Yousaf Khema Basti area of Dera Ismail Khan district.

According to a CTD spokesperson, authorities in the Dera region received actionable intelligence about the presence of a young woman allegedly affiliated with a banned militant outfit and preparing to carry out a suicide attack. Acting swiftly on the tip-off, a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team conducted a targeted raid at the specified location.

Officials said the suspect, identified only by the initial “Z”, was taken into custody after initial questioning. During interrogation, she allegedly revealed that she had been under the training of a militant commander identified as Shah Wali alias Tariq Kochi, who is reportedly deceased.

Police further stated that the suspect claimed she had recently agreed to carry out a suicide bombing and that a suicide vest and target details were to be provided by another militant commander identified as Asim.

During the search operation, law enforcement personnel recovered a bag containing a pistol with ammunition, two mobile phones allegedly used for communication with members of the banned organisation, a power bank, and other items. Officials also claimed that a perfume bottle was seized, which they believe was intended to mask the smell of explosives.

The suspect has been formally arrested and shifted to an undisclosed location for further investigation. Authorities said efforts are underway to verify her statements and trace her alleged handlers and facilitators.

Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed commended the CTD team for successfully preventing what he described as a potentially devastating attack. He also announced a cash reward for the officers involved in the operation.

In an official statement, the CTD reaffirmed its commitment to continuing intelligence-based and indiscriminate operations across the province to eliminate terrorist threats. “Across the province, indiscriminate operations will continue to crush terrorists’ evil intentions, prevent all forms of terrorism, and ensure full implementation of a zero-tolerance policy against anti-state elements,” the statement read.

The arrest comes amid heightened security concerns in the district. Last week, four police personnel, including a station house officer (SHO), were martyred and two others injured in a militant ambush in the area. Earlier, on January 23, five people — including a peace committee leader — were killed and 10 others wounded in what officials described as a suicide blast during a wedding ceremony in Dera Ismail Khan.

Authorities say investigations are ongoing as security forces intensify operations to prevent further attacks in the volatile region.
Tagged:

CTD

KhyberPakhtunkhwa

DeraIsmailKhan

KPPolice
Share News: