Over 500 suspects arrested in countrywide crackdown on terrorists

KARACHI: Security forces and law enforcement agencies have rounded up 546 suspects from different parts of the country as part of an ongoing campaign against terrorists and their facilitators.

Pakistan on Wednesday launched a nationwide military operation 'Radd-ul-Fasaad', which would include broad-spectrum security and counter-terrorism operations in Punjab, and continuation of ongoing operations across the country.

The crackdown came in reaction to recent wave of terror attacks in the country which left over a 100 people dead, prompting the civil-military leadership to order an all-out campaign against terrorists and their facilitators.

Army, Rangers and police rounded up suspects, including Afghan nationals and proclaimed offenders, from various cities including Peshawar, Rahim Yar Khan, Mianwali and Rawalpindi.

Police and Rangers, in a joint operation in Dhoke Ratta and Pir Wadhai areas in Rawalpindi, arrested 10 suspects. The arrested people also included an Afghan national.

Law enforcers apprehended 10 suspects from Rawalpindi, 25 from Shikarpur, 70 from Swat, 40 from Hangu, 35 from Kohat, 68 from Mianwali, 23 from Lodhran, 47 from Pindi Bhattian, and three from Sargodha.

In Punjab, a suspect was nabbed from Sialkot, four from Dera Ghazi Khan, nine from Taunsa, six from Vehari, 52 from Chiniot, 57 from Mandi Bahauddin and 96 from Rahim Yar Khan.

In Karachi, at least 20 suspects were detained in a combing search operation around Central Jail in the wee hours of Thursday, confirmed the police.

The Pakistan Air Force, Pakistan Navy, Civil Armed Forces as well as other security and law enforcement agencies will continue to actively participate and support the efforts of the Pakistan Army to eliminate the menace of terrorism from the country.