Islamabad Police. Photo: APP (file)
RAWALPINDI:
The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) Rawalpindi, in coordination with relevant agencies, has arrested seven suspects linked to the facilitators and handlers of the recent suicide attack in Islamabad’s judicial complex, sources said on Thursday.
The suspects have been transferred to an undisclosed location, where authorities have launched extensive investigations into the network behind Tuesday’s bombing, which killed 12 people and left 28 others injured.
Official sources said a group of extremists linked to Fitna al-Hindustan targeted police personnel and civilians outside the court complex in an attempt to spread chaos across the country. The victims included both police officers and lawyers.
A case has been registered with the CTD Islamabad under the Anti-Terrorism Act, citing charges of murder, attempted murder and other relevant offences. CTD, along with investigative teams from other agencies, are actively pursuing leads to dismantle the network.
Using Safe City cameras installed across Islamabad and Rawalpindi, authorities tracked the suicide bomber to the crime scene and determined his points of arrival. Sources said the suspect had arrived with a motorcycle rider for a payment of Rs200.
“The suspect was later seen moving around several places near the court complex,” a source said. Investigators also revealed that the alleged facilitator was present in Rawalpindi’s Pirwadhai area, prompting CTD Rawalpindi to launch a dedicated operation.
During the last 18 to 24 hours, simultaneous operations were conducted across Pirwadhai, Fauji Colony and Dhokh Kashmirian, as well as in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Authorities detained six to seven suspects and moved them to undisclosed locations for further questioning.
Late on Wednesday and Thursday evening, police in Islamabad and Rawalpindi along with relevant agencies conducted search operations in Tarnol and Ganjmandi jurisdictions, according to sources.
Meanwhile, in view of the prevailing security concerns and the ongoing cricket series in Rawalpindi, police conducted large-scale operations in several city neighborhoods and detained dozens of suspects.
“During the operations, authorities inspected 1,350 houses, 183 shops and 33 hotels and checked records of more than 1,300 people. Biometric verification was conducted, resulting in the arrest of 56 Afghan nationals illegally staying in the city, along with a wanted criminal,” an official said.
A police spokesman in Rawalpindi said the primary objective of these operations is to maintain law and order. “All available resources are being deployed to ensure public safety and secure the city against potential threats,” the spokesman added.
