LEAs arrest Islamabad blast facilitators

IBD, CTD round up four alleged operatives of TTP in a joint operation

ISLAMABAD:

Law enforcement agencies (LEAs) have arrested four people allegedly involved in facilitating a suicide bombing that killed 12 people and injured dozens in Islamabad on November 11. All suspects belong to the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

According to a statement published on the official X account of the Government of Pakistan on Friday, these suspects were rounded up in a joint operation conducted by the Intelligence Bureau Division (IBD) and the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD).

"During interrogation, Sajidullah alias Sheena, the handler of the suicide bomber, confessed that TTP/FAK (Fitna al-Khawarij) Commander Saeed-ur-Rehman alias Daadullah contacted him through Telegram application to carry out a suicide attack in Islamabad to cause maximum casualties of LEAs."

Commander Saeed-ur-Rehman alias Daadullah is a resident of Charmang area of Bajaur district but is currently in Afghanistan and serving as the TTP's intelligence chief for Nawagai area of Bajaur.

Sheena told the investigators that Daadullah also sent him pictures of the suicide bomber Usman alias Qari, who belonged to the Shinwari tribe and was a resident of Achin area of Nangarhar in Afghanistan.

According to the statement, when the bomber reached Pakistan from Afghanistan, Sheena arranged his stay in a residence near Islamabad.

On the directions of Daadullah, Sheena collected a suicide jacket from Akhun Baba graveyard in Peshawar and brought it to Islamabad.

He also facilitated the bomber's preparation by strapping on the suicide vest on the day of the blast.

The statement claimed that the network was handled and guided at every step by the TTP high command based in Afghanistan.

"The entire cell involved in the incident, including its commander and three other members, has been arrested. Investigations are continuing, and more revelations and arrests are expected," it said.

On 11 November, a suicide bomber blew himself up outside of the District Judicial Complex in Islamabad, killing 12 people and injuring 36.

The Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, a faction of the TTP, later claimed responsibility for the attack. It was the deadliest attack in Islamabad in nearly a decade.