Recovery of six suicide jackets heightens concerns

IDPs, Afghan refugees will not be allowed to enter during Muharram

PESHAWAR/ DI KHAN:

At least six suicide jackets, a large number of detonators and prima-cords were found in a derelict school building at an Afghan refugee camp in the city on Friday. Police suspect terrorists were planning to use the material to orchestrate a sectarian attack in the city during Muharram. This development occurred at the same time as banners and signs emerged in the city, forbidding displaced persons from “entering and roaming” the city.

A police official told The Express Tribune a raid was conducted after they received information about suicide jackets and explosives hidden at the camp in Shamshatoo.

“The terrorists had either escaped or used the building to store the jackets and explosives,” he said. He added weapons and ammunitions were also found in the building.

Read: Chaman raid: Huge cache of explosives, suicide vests seized

According to the official, they have managed to successfully thwart the terror bid. This is the second time that explosives have been found in a building at Shamshatoo camp.

Speaking at a news conference, CCPO Mubarak Zeb said the jackets were discovered from an abandoned school building.

“We have reason to believe these jackets were hidden on the premises a week ago,” he said. “Terrorists were planning to use them for an attack during Muharram.”

According to Zeb, a search operation has been launched in the area and two suspects have been arrested and are being interrogated.

A high-ranking police official told The Express Tribune terrorists were planning to target four imambargahs.

“We have learnt they were planning to attack these sites during mourning processions,” he said. “However, their plans were foiled through timely action by the police,” he said.

Restricted entry

Although the terror bid has been foiled and a series of measures had already been taken to prevent the situation from spiralling out of control, the matter has not been put to rest.

Banners in Hashtnagri bearing police logos state IDPs and Afghan refugees will not be allowed to enter the city or roam around it. Speaking to The Express Tribune on Friday, SSP Operation Main Saeed confirmed IDPs will not be allowed to enter the city during Muharram along with Afghan refugees due to security concerns.

“The order is not directed at those IDPs who are living in the city,” he said. “On the contrary, they are directed at the displaced population who are living outside the city. They will not be allowed to enter Peshawar.”

Saeed added, “We will be able to recognise IDPs who are not residents of the city through their registration cards.”

The decision is likely to draw the ire of many IDPs who are adherents of the Shia sect and will now face further difficulties in accessing places of worship.

Crisis management

Preparations for Muharram have remained in full swing across the province.

A day earlier, the police sealed arms shops across DI Khan to ensure peace during Muharram. During the Awami National Party government, an arms shop was blown up as a mourning procession was passing the area. Several people died in the incident.

Read: Large cache of explosives, suicide vests recovered from bomb-making factory in Balochistan

This year, like previous others, the district has been declared a high-security risk for the month. DI Khan DPO Sadiq Hussain Baloch and DSP City and Cantt Arbab Khan directed the relevant authorities to seal weapon shops across the district to stave off any untoward situation. Barriers have been erected across the district along with law-enforcement deployment, including the bomb disposal unit.
Police said people will be checked before entering places of worship.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 17^th, 2015.