Army chief vows to root out terror

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Friday reiterated the resolve of the Pakistan Army to fight against terrorism till its elimination from the country.

On Thursday, three people were killed and 28 others injured when an improvised explosive device blast tore through Pan Mandi at Anarkali Bazaar in Lahore.

During his visit to the Corps Headquarters in Peshawar, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said, the army chief was given a detailed briefing on the prevailing security situation, progress on development works in newly merged districts and Pak-Afghan border fencing.

The COAS vowed that sacrifices of martyrs would not go in vain and “complete peace will return to Pakistan”, the military’s media wing said in a statement.

Paying tribute to brave tribesmen, officers and soldiers of Pakistan Army, FC, Levies, Khasadar and police, the COAS vowed: “Sacrifices of Shuhada [martyrs] will not go in vain and complete peace will return to Pakistan.”

The army chief also appreciated security forces for providing enabling environment for the completion of socio-economic development projects in the newly merged districts, vital for enduring stability and sustainable progress of the area.

Earlier, on arrival at the Corps Headquarters, Gen Qamar was received by Commander Peshawar Corps Lieutenant General Faiz Hamid.

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Meanwhile, Punjab Law Minister Raja Basharat on Friday informed the Punjab Assembly that two suspects in the Lahore’s Anarkali blast case had been arrested, while the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl decried the move, saying that they were party workers who had visited the hospital to inquire after the injured.

Basharat disclosed that two suspects had been arrested but did not reveal further details about their identity or link to any militant organisation.

An official told The Express Tribune that the law enforcement authorities had lined up around a dozen people in front of the Mayo Hospital, Lahore.

The crime was recorded by the CCTV camera of the Punjab Safe City Authority (PSCA). Also, a few yards away, the security guards of King Edwards Medical College University (KEMC) were witnesses to the whole episode.

JUI-F spokesperson Aslam Ghauri told The Express Tribune two of their activists had been missing since last night (Thursday) after authorities took them into custody from the Mayo Hospital.

According to a statement issued by the JUI-F, the volunteers belonged to JUI-F’s Ansarul Islam wing. “They were visiting the hospital to inquire after the health of the injured with party leaders,” the statement read.

“Police and the provincial government instead of arresting the culprits were picking up innocent citizens,” Ghauri added.

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He accused the Punjab government of arresting JUI-F’s innocent activists to cover up for its failure in nabbing the real culprits.

The crime scene and shops in the vicinity remained closed as experts were busy collecting evidence.

Footages also showed a few suspects collecting cash and valuables instead of helping the victims after the blast.

The Lahore police conducted a sweep and search operations as is the case after such incidents in different parts of the city. The security also remained heightened during Friday prayers.

From the hospitals, 20 victims were released after their condition was declared stable. Eight of them, however, were undergoing treatment till the filing of this report.