Search operation : Security forces arrest suspects, recover arms

The operation was in response to an attack on CD shops.

PESHAWAR: Security forces with assistance from the police and paramilitary forces conducted a search operation in several villages of Mattani and arrested several suspects.

The operation commenced around midnight and continued till 6am, during which houses in Mattani, Shera Kera, Rahimabad and Gaziabad as well as Aza Khel were searched. Weapons were recovered and those arrested have been shifted to an undisclosed location for interrogation.

“We have not seen an operation on such a large scale in the area,” said a local elder requesting anonymity.

The entire area was surrounded and roads were blocked for all traffic, he added, maintaining large numbers of police contingents also participated. “Those arrested include students of religious seminaries and some criminals as well.”

Police officials confirmed the operation and claimed around 20 AK-47 rifles, two TT pistols, a few hand grenades and three 7mm rifles were recovered by the army.



The operation was carried out following a late night attack on CD shops in Mattani on Monday, during which more than a dozen armed militants came to the market, whisked the guard away and planted a bomb.

“This is our response to the increasing militant activity in the area and we are [also] worried about the upcoming election campaign season,” said a police official.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 20^th, 2013.