Haqnawaz Shinwari
PESHAWAR
The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) Mardan on Tuesday claimed to have arrested two suspects belonging to the outlaw Tehreek-i-Taliban and involved in an extortion racket.
A press release said that an operation was conducted, “which resulted in the arrest of two suspects belonging to the TTP”.
The arrested persons have been identified as Faizullah, resident of tribal district Mohmand, and Saeedullah an Afghani national.
CTD officials said that a large number of mobile phones used in extortion and visiting cards of businessmen of different cities of Pakistan were recovered from their possessions.
The statement said that more than 28 complaints have been received to CTD Mardan regarding the extortion calls and two people have been killed and one injured due to non-payment of extortion in the district.
It said that the accused Faizullah was working for his cousin Bilal, a TTP commander in Afghanistan. According to the statement issued by CTD, there were ten whatsApp groups operating from Afghanistan for extortion rackets and information sharing regarding the businessmen.
SP CTD Mardan Region-2 Qazi Ismat led the investigation and arrested the two suspects for an extortion racket in the district.
During the initial investigation, it has been revealed that commander Bilal was making calls to businessmen from Afghanistan for extortion.
CTD officials said that an investigation against the threatening calls has been launched.
