Pakistan

Five facilitators behind Bacha Khan University attack arrested: DG ISPR

One of the attackers identified as Amir Rehman, says Asim Bajwa

Riaz Ahmad/news Desk January 23, 2016

PHOTO: IFTIKHAR FIRDOUS/EXPRESS

PESHAWAR: DG ISPR Lt-Gen Asim Bajwa has said that five facilitators of the Charsadda attack have been arrested, while identity of one of attackers has been learnt.

“Five facilitators have been identified as Riaz, Noorullah, Adil, Zia and Ibrahim,” the DG ISPR said while addressing a press conference in Peshawar on Saturday.

Four of the five arrested facilitators were shown to the media as well.

At least 22 people were killed as terrorists armed with ammunition and bombs targeted Bacha Khan University in Charsadda, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) on January 20.

Breakthrough achieved in identifying Charsadda attackers: DG ISPR

"Taliban commander Umer Mansoor and his deputy Zakir were the main culprits behind the attack, said Bajwa, adding, the former "commanded the militants from Afghanistan during the attack.”

Chief of the military's media wing said Adil, who had earlier worked as a mason in the Bacha Khan University, carried out the recce of the university and provided information to the assailants.

“He is the one who helped the attackers figure out their way into the university.”

Noorullah purchased a rickshaw with the help of Zakir, which he used to drop the attackers near the Bacha Khan University on the day of the attack, added Bajwa.

“The AK-47s and other ammunition was procured from Darra Adam Khel by Adil, Riaz and facilitator ‘A’, while the wife and niece of the unidentified terrorist ‘A’ helped transporting these weapons to Mardan,” he added.

The four attackers who entered Pakistan, the DG ISPR said, were sent through Torkham border where another facilitator ‘A’ (whose name was not revealed as he is yet to be arrested) received them and brought them to Mardan in the public transport.

One of the attackers has been identified as Amir Rehman from Waziristian and his credentials confirmed with the National Database Regulatory Authority (Nadra), informed the DG ISPR.

Bacha Khan University attack: Frantic relatives gather at hospital looking for loved ones

He said investigation was still underway to confirm financial resources of the terrorists.

Earlier during the day, army chief General Raheel Sharif chaired a special meeting during a visit to corps headquarters in Peshawar and reviewed the progress of investigation.

#COAS at Corps HQ Psr,holding a spec security review mtng.Corps Comd,ops comds,DG ISI,DG MI,MO&ISPR in attendance-1
— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) January 23, 2016

General Raheel seeks Afghan cooperation to locate Charsadda attackers

He was apprised of continuing operations in FATA and K-P, intelligence based operations (IBOs) and Pak-Afghan border management.

Reviewing ops in FATA&KPK,IBOs in KPK,Pak-Afgn Border mgmt,progress investigation Charsada attk.Being shared in my press conf shortly-2
— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) January 23, 2016

The meeting was attended by corps commander Peshawar, operation commanders, DG ISI and MI, among others.

COMMENTS (27)

Defiant | 8 years ago | Reply @numbersnumbers And what 'light of day' have the Indian accusations seen exactly? That Obama issued a collective half statement and USA continues with all kinds of ties with Pakistan? Don't drag this. India is behind terrorism in Pakistan. We in Pakistan, especially the Pukhtoons like myself and most of the Baluchis are long convinced. I feel no need to convince all the Indians. You have made your moves. Thanks for bringing us Pakistanis even closer though. Real bad choice of timings and area by you I gotta say.

numbersnumbers | 8 years ago | Reply @Defiant: And that EVIDENCE was so "credible" that it has never (nor will ever!) see the light of day! Any comment from UN or USA about that "alleged" EVIDENCE??? NOT! If Pakistan had any real EVIDENCE it would have provided all to the world media to expose India! But we all know that never happened, and you should wonder WHY!

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Bik | 8 years ago | Reply Its a black day for the world. So many innocent lives taken. My heart goes out to all the people who has lost their loved ones.

Defiant | 8 years ago | Reply @numbersnumbers Credible evidence of India masterminding trouble was handed over both to UN and USA. It's certainly better than your evidences like 'kabooters' and 'dysfunctional sims'! Unfortunately, all your hate is rooted in 14 August 1947, the event that Indian terrorist organizations like RSS, Bajrang Dal, Shiv Sena dream to undo.

Naim | 8 years ago | Reply Sir facilitators should be hanged outside BKU so it will be strong massage to the others. Should be done soon as.

Cosmo | 8 years ago | Reply @Naeem Khan: What happened to the dosier you submmited to UN? Oh i mean the fictional litreature ! India's involvement in Baluchistan is just the figment of your imagination.

Cosmo | 8 years ago | Reply @Dong: Those F16s belong to USA, they still control the joystick and those JF17s have Chinese bugs in them. Pakistan just payed for the production but not the control.

NKAli | 8 years ago | Reply We have caught five facilitators...now what??? We have laws...will they be implemented??? Will we ever get serious in cracking down on extremists, militants, and sectarians who live with bluster and defiance? Salams

Truthbetold | 8 years ago | Reply @Rex Minor.... I can clearly see the fraustation and shame in your comments. How about your Geobels???? If your country embarrasingly cannot deal with a minor skirmish and takes days to control a situation...Atleast if you cant praise atleast keep shut on the progress made by Pakistan within days identifying culprits. Long Live Pakistan Army and well done!!!!

Sharam | 8 years ago | Reply Yep, we are all happy, no more attacks in the future, ye! Let us check how many calls they made to number starting with +91, since we believe they are tied to RAW.

Haji Atiya | 8 years ago | Reply @Salaar khan: Yes, also demolish their homes, Israeli style, or wipe out their entire villages, like the Germans did during WW2.

Haji Atiya | 8 years ago | Reply Great work, but Pakistan now needs to send its aerial drones (as much reported by ET last year) into Afghanistan to patrol, detect, interdict and eliminate such perpetrators in coordination with ISI's assets on the ground. Of course the US would be pleased with such measures !

Motiwala | 8 years ago | Reply @Rustam: Correct. The Afghans will sell their mother down the street for $2 This is Hindustan. Or Hindu Desh.

DNiwasi | 8 years ago | Reply @Dong: Because Pakistan is not USA. There is no comparison. Only super power countries can interfere in other countries. Pakistan does not have much of sovereignty left.

numbersnumbers | 8 years ago | Reply @Defiant: And of course you can provide credible evidence that your "traditional enemy" is behind these attacks? No, what a surprise! Your delusional conspiracy theory mindset is a big part of the problem preventing Pakistan from fighting this menace!

Rustam | 8 years ago | Reply @Ali - It does not end at Afghanistan. It goes further. The guys directly involved are Afghans. They work for money. Who is funding them? The ones who think that they can damage Pakistan through such incidents. I leave this to imagination of the readers.

Hameed | 8 years ago | Reply Why can't they do it before it happens, the 'no 1 agency in the world'?

MMajeed | 8 years ago | Reply Appreciates early and swift arrest of the facilitator and handlers. The Main culprit needs to be nabbed asap to prevent further attack on innocent people.The Army is working hard the civilian government needs to change gear and need to use all their resources to bring the real culprit to face the justice.

Naeem Khan | 8 years ago | Reply I may be on the wrong side of democratic norms but special circumstances needs special remedies. If a democratic country like USA could incarcerated terrorists in Gitmo and in the US then it is time for Pakistanis to take some drastic actions. I would suggest to arrest the parents of these terrorists after they are identified and make sure the media show their identities to the nation. Parents do know what their kids are up to and they are ones who are sheltering them and looking the other way. The future terrorists will know that their parents will be arrested and prosecuted. Would they care if their parents go through the ringer because of them, that remains to be seen. I grew up in Mardan and I used to hear about this story of a mother who visited her son in jail, the son wanted to whisper in his mother's ear and bit her ear. The mother cried and asked why and the son replied to her that she knew and heard what he was doing and yet she did not stop him or reprimanded him for illegal activities. Believe me parents, siblings and close relatives know and hear what their kids and relatives are doing.

Defiant | 8 years ago | Reply Unless we openly name and respond to our traditional enemy who is masterminding the whole thing from Afghanistan, this won't end. We won't forgive and we certainly won't forget our youth's innocent blood. Mr Parikar, point noted. Just wait please

Naeem Khan | 8 years ago | Reply @Indians beat Ozs in Australia finally: I totally agree with you and it is time the terrorists are arrested and even extradited to India, and believe me I am no supporter of India in any shape or way. Indians are also involved in terror activities in Baluchistan in particular.

Rex Minor | 8 years ago | Reply Goebel is with his tricks on the scene again, while his boss is asking the address of the perpatrators from the Afghanistan President. He should at least learn the Pashto language if he is sitting in kpk. Rex Minor

Dong | 8 years ago | Reply If US can send their drones to Pakistan to attack their targets, then why can't we send our F-16s & JF-17 for retaliation in Afghanistan when such attacks happen? Afghan government did nothing when APS happened and won't do jack after this. Then why are we so reluctant?

Salaar khan | 8 years ago | Reply If they are truely involved, they deserve to be publicly hanged. People should be told about their tribes and their families. Their families need to be segregated from society, We have to make an example out of them. So that tomorrow if someone thinks to commit such a heinous crime, he should know the consequences.

Ali | 8 years ago | Reply I appreciate the speedy investigation. However we will have to go to the source of this . "Afghanistan"

Indians beat Ozs in Australia finally | 8 years ago | Reply VeryGood... And so why can't you get similar results swiftly and arrest the terrorists involved in Pathankot attack..Not undermining the work Pakistan has already done in this regard but please ensure the terrorists are brought to justice irrespective of where the attacks are done asap...someone is loosing their son or daughter or a family member irrespective which side of border...Hope to see a normal prosperous terror free Pakistan soon.

farooq | 8 years ago | Reply Good job!

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