According to Inter-Services Public Relations, at least four terrorists have been killed and more than 600 suspects, including Afghan nationals, have been arrested in search operations conducted in various areas of Punjab, including Karor, Layyah and Rawalpindi.According to the statement issued by ISPR, the media wing of the military, suspected houses, Madrassas and shops were searched in the areas mentioned above.
Four terrorists got killed in exchange of fire while over 600 suspects including few Afghans apprehended.
Jihadi material and weapons recovered, the statement said.
“Few facilitators of banned outfit Jamat-ul-Ahrar were also arrested,” it added.The military on Wednesday announced the launch of Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad following a sharp spike in terrorist attacks across the country earlier this month. The operation aims to indiscriminately eliminate all residual and latent terror threats from the country and consolidate gains made during previous military operations.
While Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad is being carried out across the country, the fact that the decision to launch it was taken during a meeting at the corps headquarters in Lahore suggests that Punjab is central to the new offensive. Many observers say the province has long been ignored when it comes to fighting militant groups due to political expediency and other reasons.
Police arrest 50 in Lahore search operation
Apart from the Rangers raids, Lahore police also carried out a search operation in and around the provincial capital’s Manzoor Colony and Afghan Basti areas. Police used biometric devices to confirm the identities of over 160 people, officials said, adding that 50 suspects were arrested and taken to the Lower Mall police station for further investigations.
Meanwhile, a four member joint investigation team was constituted by the Punjab government to investigate Thursday’s cylinder blast in the city. The Punjab Forensic Science Agency has ruled out any possibility of presence of explosives at the blast site.
