Daesh claims killing of top officer

Two gunmen on a motorcycle shot dead an intelligence officer in northwest Pakistan yesterday, police said, in an attack claimed by Daesh.

Akbar Ali, an intelligence sub-inspector, was on his way to work and waiting at a bus stop near his home in Charsadda district when the gunmen opened fire, Suhail Khalid, district police chief, told journalists.

“Akbar Ali was hit by four bullets from the front and was killed on the spot,” he said, adding that the attackers used a 9mm pistol and fled the scene.

The attack was later claimed by Daesh in a short statement posted on Amaq, its affiliated news agency.

“Islamic State [Daesh] fighters have killed a Pakistan intelligence agent in the Sardaryab region... of Pakistan,” it said, referring to the local area.

Pakistan’s military last month admitted for the first time that the Daesh group had a presence in the country but said it had detained hundreds of its militants and prevented them from carrying out major attacks.

The army’s spokesman said its forces had foiled planned attacks by Daesh on embassies and Islamabad airport.