A militant commander identified as Zahid Gul, the suspected mastermind behind a deadly suicide attack on the old Kohat Police Lines, was killed on Friday during a joint intelligence-based operation in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa's Lakki Marwat district. The operation was conducted by the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and security forces in the Wolai Sagai area, located near the Bettani subdivision.
Gul was reportedly affiliated with the proscribed Gul Bahadur group and was wanted by law enforcement for his alleged role in planning and facilitating terrorist activities. Police officials stated that he guided the suicide bomber who struck a mosque at the old Kohat Police Lines last month. That attack resulted in the deaths of 21 people, including 15 police personnel and six civilians, during Friday prayers.
According to security officials, Gul was also linked to a bank robbery in the Bilitang area of Kohat, where Rs6 million was looted and allegedly distributed to militant groups in Bannu's Baka Khel and Jani Khel areas. Furthermore, he was accused of attempting a suicide attack on the new Kohat Police Lines two months ago, which was successfully foiled by security agencies.
Authorities alleged that the slain commander was planning future strikes against a Pakistan Air Force installation and a police training school in Kohat. While other members of the militant network have already been apprehended, officials noted that these details are based on police reports and lack independent confirmation.