The city police and security agencies claimed on Friday that they foiled a terrorist plan in the city by arresting five suspected terrorists. A suicide vest and hand grenades were also seized, the police added. The terrorists were planning an attack on Jumatul Widah, according to the police.
Their sixth accomplice, Sardar Ali Khan Khattak, had gone to Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) to “bring a suicide bomber for the attack”, police said, adding that Khattak is a naib-qasid in the Finance Division and was on leave for last two years.
On information provided by intelligence agencies, the Aabpara police, along with officials of Crime Investigations Department, raided a hotel in Aabpara market and arrested a suspect.
He was taken to an undisclosed location where, during interrogations, he told security officials about his other accomplices, their whereabouts and plans of a terrorist attack on Friday.
The information extracted from the suspect led the police and the security agencies’ officials to raid a house in sector G-6/1-1. They arrested five suspects from the house and seized a suicide vest, a hand grenade and a pistol along with foreign currency from their possession, said a police official.
The suspects were shifted to an undisclosed location for interrogation. The police did not give the names of the suspects or specify the country whose currency they were carrying. However, police claimed the suspects were planning to attack a Friday congregation in Islamabad on Jumatul Widah and were waiting for the suicide bomber to arrive from K-P.
The suspects arrested along with the two suspected terrorists were likely not involved in much of the planning and execution of the attack, said a police official.
Youm-e-Dua observed
Youm-e-Dua, or day of prayers, was observed across the country on the appeal of the Federal Cabinet to urge the nation to pray for restoration of peace in Karachi and the country.
Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani in a message said the recent incidents in Karachi were a matter of concern not only for Pakistanis but also for the entire Islamic world. He said the spate of target killings and terrorism were adversely impacting national growth.
PM offers prayers at Faisal Mosque
PM Gilani offered Friday prayers at the capital’s iconic Faisal Mosque amid tight security and a full hall. The mosque’s imam prayed for peace in the country. Former ministers Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Qamar Zaman Kaira, Nazar Mohammad Gondal accompanied the PM. Additional input from APP
Published in The Express Tribune, August 27th, 2011.
COMMENTS (12)
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Efficiency considerable,it is a result of responsibility and bravery of sons of the state. They acted and save lives of large number of people they are really deserved of national congratulation and meddle for their honors.
Bravo to the police and intelligence people who have done a good job bringing these criminals to justice. The fact that they have foreign money in possession is yet more proof that these anti state criminals are being paid by the enemies of Pakistan to hurt innocent people.
Make sure these terrorists do not survive the interrogation.
@Agnostic Muslim: I do agree with you to some extent and hear you loud and clear. When it comes to political cases (other than PML-N) these same courts insist on appointing the govt officials and prosecutors to their liking, which is neither fair nor constitutiona. However, when it comes to religious terrorists, and people like MNA Aqeel, the same courts become powerless due to "bad" police investigation. Dealing with these people with an iron fist should be a national task and everybody should be on the same page. Even in the most democratic countries the govt has special powers to put these terrorists away for a long time. They should not even be given the regular civilian justice. Thanks and regards, Mirza
@Mirza:
You cannot accuse the 'independent judiciary' of releasing terrorists when it is the incompetent investigation and prosecutions services that fail to build water-tight cases against these individuals.
It is high time law enforcement and prosecution institutions were made bipartisan and taken away from the control of the Interior minister.
We always hear of raids like these but they are very shot on identities, targets and groups that these suspects are linked to.
You announced the name Sardar Ali Khattak on the news so he can never come back from Malakand? Or maybe, he will on purpose to get caught....why does media announces everything in public? Try to do investigation and operations on back end instead of making it public..Government is impotent!!
The terrorists and their masterminds should be apprehended by the law enforcing agencies by all means.
Terrorists in Pakistan has made terrorism a game to be played anywhere on the streets, mosques, government offices etc.
The parliament should amend the law and any one who is proved to be a terrorist should not get the bail from any court in the country.
Once the law is passed through parliament, it will be the duty of the judiciary to implement on the law passed by the parliament.
We must eradicate the menace of terrorism from Pakistan for the betterment of the country. Terrorism has created a negative impact and there is not a single foreign investor who wants to invest in Pakistan due to law and order situation.
There is no other way, except to deal with the terrorists with iron hand.
Syed A. Mateen Defender of Pakistan
Time for the "independent" judiciary to release them keeping with their traditions.
Death for terrorists...Long live Pakistan!!!!!!!!!!!