A terrorist involved in the recent attack on a census team in Pakistan has been killed by security forces, according to a statement from the military’s media affairs wing. The militant, identified as Abdul Rasheed and affiliated with the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), had a bounty of Rs6 million on him and was responsible for several acts of terrorism against the police and security agencies. The attack on the census team in the Gara Guldad area of Kulachi tehsil in Dera Ismail Khan district resulted in the death of a police officer, who bravely fought off the terrorists. The incident occurred on March 13, and shortly afterwards, security forces cordoned off the area, blocking all possible escape routes. The terrorist was killed after an intense exchange of fire with security forces.
Earlier on the same day, two policemen deployed on census duty in Tank and Lakki Marwat districts were martyred while five others were injured in terrorist attacks. In Tank’s Kot Azam area, terrorists opened fire on a police van deployed to provide security to census staff, martyring one constable and injuring three others. In Lakki Marwat, motorcyclists opened fire at the census team, killing a policeman. The attacks highlight the resurgence of terrorism in the country, with the province witnessing a spate of such incidents targeting both security forces and civilians.
The seventh population and housing census of Pakistan started earlier this month, with up to 121,000 field enumerators using electronic devices to collect data. The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics has stated that the information collected will be used for public policy formulation and constituency delimitation in future general elections. The survey will conclude on April 1.