Pakistan

Search operation : 12 Afghan nationals among 39 detained in twin cities

Parks in Pindi remain closed for second consecutive day

Our Correspondents February 21, 2017

The security forces have mounted search operations across the country in the wake of the recent series of terror attacks across the country. PHOTO: REUTERS

RAWALPINDI/ ISLAMABAD: Police have detained as many as 39 people on Monday, including around 12 Afghans, during the ongoing search operations in the twin cities.

Meanwhile, parks in Rawalpindi remained closed for a second consecutive day amid heightened security.

In Islamabad, teams of Islamabad Police and Rangers conducted search operations within the remits of Aabapara and Khanna police stations on Monday.

A total of 31 suspects, including nine Afghan nationals, were held during the operation.

Heavy artillery moved towards Pak-Afghan border, security sources say

Officials said that nearly 200 houses were searched during a three-hour long search operation in Allama Iqbal Colony in Sector G-7, adjacent to several media houses near Zero Point.

Unlike operations in other parts of the city which took place at night, Monday’s search started at 2pm in the afternoon.

Officials said that they had also recovered a cache of weapons during the search including two 30-bore pistols with 13 bullets and one 12 repeater guns.A police spokesperson said that more than 300 houses were checked during the search operation in two areas.

Security beefed up in Pindi

Rawalpindi police have beefed up security in the city while combing operations have been launched. According to a police spokesperson, search operations were conducted in different parts of the district.

He said that three Afghan nationals were arrested from Murree and Taxila and were booked under 14 Foreign Act. A search operation was also conducted in Jhanda Cheechi. Police searched 247 houses and questioned 1,067 people, but only took five suspects into custody.

Rangers to assist Punjab Police in counterterrorism operations, security huddle decides

As many as 78 land lords and tenants were booked under Punjab Information of Temporary Residents Act 2015.

Separately, all 40 small and big parks in the city remained closed for a second consecutive day on Monday. Officials have also banned parking cars near the Rawalpindi railway station while passengers entering the station are subject to body searches.

City Police Officer (CPO) Israr Ahmed Khan Abbasi also directed the police force to enhance security at public places, bus terminals, government installations, districts courts, the high court, police stations and other officers’ buildings, educational institutions, mosques and churches.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 21^st, 2017.