PESHAWAR: The counter-terrorism department has claimed that the militant group Islamic State (aka Daesh) is behind the recent targeted attacks against religious scholars and members of minority groups in the provincial capital.

“The CTD has arrested Daesh affiliate Aminullah and killed another, Zafar, following their encounter with the special patrolling squad, Ababeel Force, in the provincial capital,” Additional Inspector General Shaukat Abbas told reporters here.

He said on June 25, a gunman killed member of the Christian community Mushtaq and fled but he was intercepted by the Ababeel Force on the Ring Road near Garhi Qamardin area.

“As soon as the gunman saw the force, he opened fire at it injuring three personnel. The force retaliated and killed him,” he said.

The official also said the police seized a pistol, a motorcycle, two SIM cards, a BRT card and an Afghan citizen card carrying the name of Khalid Khan son of Musafir.

Initial investigation identified the gunman as Zafar, an Afghan national living in the Rasheed Garhi area of the provincial capital. Further investigation, especially leads from Zafar’s mobile phone, helped the CTD arrest Zafar’s father-in-law, Ameenullah, according to senior police officials.

They said that the two militants belonged to a network comprising Afghan nationals, who were imprisoned in Pul-i-Charkhi area of Afghanistan.

The officials said around 60 network members, who escaped from the prison after the Islamic Emirates formed the government in Afghanistan, reportedly entered Pakistan.

They, however, said it was unknown how many of those militants were active.

AIG Shaukat Abbas said that targeted attacks against religious scholars and members of religious minorities began in March.

He said it was a challenging task to “trace the militant network and identify its members.”

The official said nine people had been targeted since March and they included Sikhs, Christians, and Muslim scholars.

“Scientific methods were adopted, while a pattern was followed connecting the dots. The forensic evidence showed that just one pistol was used in all these attacks,” he said.

Mr Abbas said the group comprising 15-20 militants had been identified, while the department was close in on it and would bust it soon.

“This is like cleaning your home every day that gets dirty the next day,” he said.

The official said a small number of people reported extortion demands to the police.

He said a businessman, who recently came under attack in Hayatabad, had lodged a case with the police after receiving an extortion call on May 1.

Mr Abbas said the case helped investigators trace those behind extortion calls.

He added that multiple calls of that nature were reported in Darra Adamkhel, Peshawar and Malakand areas.