Five Islamic State suspects arrested from FR Peshawar

The suspects shifted to an undisclosed location for interrogation

PESHAWAR: Law enforcement agencies in a crackdown on Monday arrested at least five people, from the Frontier Region Peshawar, for their alleged connection with the Islamic State.

Sources told The Express Tribune that one of the suspects, identified as Hanif, had been arrested in a raid at a religious seminary in Hassan Khel area. They added that the suspect was shifted to an undisclosed location for interrogation.

“His activities were suspicious and there were intelligence reports that he had joined IS so he was picked up a few days ago,” said the sources. They added that at least five people have been arrested in a large scale crackdown against banned outfits.



“Local residents have been really concerned over the rumours that IS sympathisers were present in the area and they welcomed such raids and arrests. They fear that IS could establish a foothold in the area which would result in the start of another reign of terror and bloodshed,” said the sources, adding that the locals have been really cooperative with the authorities so far.

An official of the political administration, while speaking to The Express Tribune on the condition of anonymity, said the crackdown was largely aimed at denying the IS the chance to regroup after its top level leadership was eliminated a few months back by the Army and police in a joint operation in the Chamkani area of Peshawar.

The security forces’ quick response to intelligence reports was understandable as earlier the TTP had been able to establish a foothold in the area and begin a reign of terror.