Peshawar: Pakistan's counter-terrorism department has claimed that the terrorist group Islamic State was behind the recent targeted attacks against religious scholars and members of minority groups in the provincial capital, media reports said.

“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 as quoted by Dawn News.

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 told the newspaper.

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 showed the gunman was identified as Zafar.