Lahore blast: CTD arrest alleged facilitator, identify attacker

LAHORE: The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD)on Tuesday arrested another alleged 'facilitator' involved in the suicide blast outside the Data Darbar shrine in Lahore.

According to CTD sources, the facilitator identified as Mohsin Khan, a resident of Shabqadar area in Charsadda was arrested from the metropolis' Bhati Gate area.

Bomb-making material was also recovered from Khan, CTD sources said. 

The CTD sources further said the alleged suicide attacker behind the blast outside the shrine in Lahore has also been identified. 

The alleged suicide attacker who has been identified as Sadiquallh Mahmand was a resident of Afghanistan.

“The attacker entered Pakistan on an Afghan passport through the Torkham border on May 6,” CTD sources said, adding, “A man named Taybuallh helped Sadiqullah cross into the country through the Torkham border.”

The man named as Tayabullah took the alleged suicide attacked to Lahore, where they both stayed at the residence of alleged facilitator Khan and Noor Zaib on May 7, CTD sources added.

Last week, three alleged terrorists were arrested during an operation in the metropolis' Bhati Gate area, including a woman facilitator.

The three are suspected to be involved in the May 8 blast outside the Data Darbar shrine which had claimed the lives of 12 people and left at least 25 others wounded.

Five police officials, a security guard and civilians were among those martyred in the attack that which targetted a police van stationed outside the entrance of Data Darbar

Earlier, this month, security forces had arrested five suspected facilitators from Garhi Shahu area after a raid on tea stall. While another suspected facilitator was arrested from Gujranwala two days later.