Seven arrested over suicide attack

CTD and allied agencies launch extensive investigations

RAWALPINDI:

The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) Rawalpindi, in coordination with relevant agencies, has arrested seven suspects linked to facilitators and handlers of the recent suicide attack at Islamabad's Judicial Complex, sources said on Thursday.

The suspects have been transferred to an undisclosed location, where authorities have launched extensive investigations into the network behind Tuesday's bombing, which claimed the lives of 12 people and left 28 others injured.

Official sources said a group of extremists associated with Fitna al-Hindustan targeted police personnel and civilians outside the Judicial Complex in an attempt to spread chaos across the country. The victims included both policemen and lawyers.

A case has been registered at CTD Islamabad under the Anti-Terrorism Act, citing charges of murder, attempted murder, and other relevant offences. The CTD, along with investigation teams from other agencies, is actively pursuing leads to dismantle the network.

Using Safe City cameras installed across Islamabad and Rawalpindi, authorities traced the suicide bomber to the crime scene and determined his points of arrival. Sources said the suspect had arrived with a motorcycle rider for a payment of Rs200.

"The suspect was later seen moving around multiple locations near the Judicial Complex," a source said. Investigators also revealed that the alleged facilitator was present in Rawalpindi's Pirwadhai area, prompting CTD Rawalpindi to launch a dedicated operation.

Over the past 18 to 24 hours, simultaneous operations were conducted across Pirwadhai, Fauji Colony, and Dhokh Kashmirian, as well as in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Authorities detained six to seven suspects and shifted them to undisclosed locations for further questioning.

Late in Wednesday and Thursday nights, Islamabad and Rawalpindi police, along with relevant agencies, conducted search operations in the Tarnol and Ganjmandi jurisdictions, according to sources.

Meanwhile, in light of prevailing security concerns and the ongoing cricket series in Rawalpindi, police carried out large-scale operations in several city neighbourhoods and detained dozens of suspects.

"During the operations, authorities inspected 1,350 houses, 183 shops, and 33 hotels, and checked records of more than 1,300 individuals. Biometric verification was carried out, resulting in the arrest of 56 Afghan nationals residing illegally in the city, along with a wanted criminal," an official said.

A Rawalpindi police spokesperson said the primary goal of these operations is to maintain law and order. "All available resources are being deployed to ensure public safety and secure the city against potential threats," the spokesperson added.