Cracking down: Over 50 suspects arrested in coordinated operation

Shrine blown up by militants, two alleged extortionists apprehended.

PESHAWAR:

Around 53 people were arrested by Badhaber police in a large-scale search operation in Mashokhel, Faqirabad and Surizai villages on Monday.

The search operation started early morning in Faqirabad, near the border of Akka Khel, Khyber Agency and was expanded to Mashokhel and other parts. Another contingent of police, meanwhile, carried out a separate search operation in Surizai village.

“We arrested 39 people from Faqirabad and Mashokhel village and have recovered arms and ammunition from their possession,” a local police official told The Express Tribune, adding another 14 people were arrested from Surizai village. “We are interrogating these people, who have been arrested on suspicion.”



The official said militants fled to Akka Khel and Bara when Pakistan Army recaptured Tirah valley, adding they are now active in the entire area. “Their presence is evident from the bomb blast targeting a polio team last Monday,” he said, while referring to the Garhi Mali Khel attack which claimed three lives.

The official added police was trying its best to stop the militants’ incursion into settled districts from Khyber Agency, but without much success due to the presence of multiple routes.

Shrine blown up, extortionists arrested

The shrine of Sheikh Modula Babaji in Sheikhan village was blown up late Sunday night in what was the second attack on the site. The grave was destroyed by a two-kilogramme homemade explosive device planted near it by unidentified militants. Fortunately, there was no loss of life.



Separately, Pishtakhara police arrested two alleged extortionists – Dad Muhammad and Mughal Khan, residents of Mulazai village. The men were allegedly demanding Rs0.2 million in extortion from a banker, Liaqat Ali, threatening to kidnap and kill his children if he refused to pay up. Police arrested both the accused in a raid and caught them red-handed as they were receiving money from Liaqat. An FIR has been registered against them.

According to the police, the accused men were collecting extortion under the guise of Taliban militants and were also involved in murder and attempted murder cases.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 15^th, 2013.