Terrorists behind Lahore bombing arrested, claims CM Punjab

LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Shehbaz Sharif on Friday claimed that the perpetrators of the Lahore Chairing Cross attack have been caught, adding that one of them belongs to Afghanistan while the other is from FATA’s Bajaur Agency.

The CM Punjab was addressing a press conference in Lahore. He said that the planning of the attack took place in Afghanistan.

CM Punjab said that the suicide attacker came from Afghanistan to perpetrate the attack that claimed at least 14 lives, including that of two senior police officials on February 13. 

He said that the prime minister is raising the issue of terrorism with the Afghan government. He added that the terrorism in Pakistan is coming from terrorist networks in Afghanistan.

Shehbaz said that the army, Rangers and police all are the assets of the country.

He further said that the government would support the decision to extend the tenure of military courts.

The confession statement from the facilitator of the Lahore attack identified as Anwar also has surfaced.

During the video, the facilitator is being asked some questions regarding the attack. Responding to questions, the facilitator said he belongs to Kunar province in Afghanistan.

When asked when he was provided the suicide jacket, he said that it reached him 25 days ago.

The facilitator said that he was given the suicide jacket by a member named Arif of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan’s splinter group Jamatul Ahrar.

Anwar said that he helped the suicide attacker reach Lahore from Peshawar’s Torkhum Ada. 

On Thursday, a picture showing one of the alleged facilitators of the Charing Cross suicide bombing had been released. A reward of Rs 1 million has also been announced for information pertaining to the facilitator.