Planning unrest: Second arrest made in foiled imambargah attack

Suspected terrorist’s accomplice is also from Gilgit, had helped purchase explosives.

GILGIT:

The accomplice of a suspected terrorist, who allegedly intended to attack a Shia mosque, has also been apprehended in Gilgit, shared the police on Saturday.

“We got to him (the accomplice) as a result of information revealed by Junaid Khan – the suspect in custody – during interrogations,” DIG Ali Sher told The Express Tribune. The unnamed co-conspirator is also a resident of Gilgit and had assisted Khan in the purchase of arms and explosives, added Sher.

On Thursday, the police arrested Khan in Gilgit and seized explosives just before he was allegedly planning to attack an imambargah in Gilgit; later he confessed his intent was to spill blood and cause sectarian violence.  Junaid Khan is said to have links with the terrorist faction Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) and had been trained at an LeJ camp in Miranshah.

“The active role of secret agencies resulted in the arrest of these terrorists. We appreciate that,” said Sher. Security has been further tightened in the wake of the arrest.

According to the DIG, there were individuals who were under strict observation because of suspicious activities in the past. “We cannot say at the moment whether there are five or six such individuals. They could be more but we will take them to task at all cost.”

In the recent past, at least five militants with alleged plans to attack police officials were arrested from Astore Valley and Gilgit. “They were planning to target senior police officials,” stated Sher, referring to intelligence the police had gathered.

The DIG requested people come forward if they find anything suspicious. “Unless the general public cooperates, we can’t overcome the menace of terrorism completely,” said the DIG.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 28^th, 2013.