Lahore operation: Militant, security official killed in 10-hour long battle
The clash began at around 2am when security forces started a search operation in Arayian village on Raiwind road on a tip-off. The suspected militants fired at members of police and Rangers present in the area and injured five officials.
The security forces retaliated and later entered the building to arrest the attackers. However, one of the attackers had died, while the other was taken into custody.
6:30pm
Pictures of the terrorists arrested from Okara have been shared with Express News.
The arrested have been moved to an undisclosed location.
Accomplices of the Okara terrorists have been identified as Aashiq, Zulfiqar, Aijaz and Naeem. They hail from Hujra Shah Muqeem.
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1:12pm
The dead militant has been identified as Ahsan Mehmood. He was a resident of Okara.
Mehmood’s accomplices were arrested earlier in Okara and had informed police about the presence of militants in the house.
Police have now confirmed that one suspected militant was killed while another was injured during the operation.
Kalashnikov, hand grenade and bullets are recovered from the house.
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12:24pm
Minister for Anti-Terrorism Colonel Shuja Khanzada, while speaking to the media, says the attackers were locals and that there were no women or children present inside the house.
“The suspected militants had been residing in the house for 1.5 months,” he says.
The minister adds that attackers were likely part of a bigger network.
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12:10pm
Police have cordoned off the house and an initial search of the building has started.
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12:00pm
One of the militants was reportedly killed during the initial attack by security forces. The other attacker was killed when Elite Force members entered the house.
Sources tell Express News that a third militant was arrested from inside the building.
An Express News screengrab showing the injured militant being taken away by police and rescue officials.
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11:53am
Two suspected militants – hiding inside the house – have been killed in the final attack. The militants were between the ages of 24 and 30 years.
Security officials have cleared the house and the operation has now ended, however, a search in still under way.
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11:47am
Security officers have entered the house and taken position on the rooftop.
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11:37am
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is being constantly updated about the progress of the operation.
Express News reports that security officials have thrown hand grenades inside the house.
Around 40 to 50 security officials are actively engaged in the final attack, trying to get inside the house.
An Express News screengrab of security officials taking position outside the house.
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11:23am
Security forces start the final attack and throw tear gas shells inside the house as they prepare to enter the building.
The suspected militants retaliate by firing at security forces.
An Express News screengrab of smoke coming out of the house after security forces threw tear gas shells inside it.
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11:10am
Suspected militants continue to fire at security officials from inside the house.
The two-storey house is located in the Firdous Colony of Arayian village on Raiwind road.
SP Saddar Malik Awais tells Express News that situation is still unclear and he can’t give exact details.
“We have not entered the house and cannot say how many suspected militants are inside the house,” he says.
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10:55am
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif pays tribute to the dead and injured security officials and orders best medical assistance for them.
“The official sacrificed his life for Pakistan and the nation is proud of him,” he says.
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10:36am
Police say the suspected militants might have suicide jackets in their possession.
Six security officials have been injured in the clash so far. One of the injured is a Rangers official.
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10:30am
Security forces are reportedly using delaying tactics to exhaust the suspected militants.
Law enforcement agencies (LEAs) say the operation is 85% complete and has entered its final stage.
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10:22am
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s residence in Raiwind is just a few kilometers away from this area.
Sources tell Express News that the house is owned by a man named Dr Manzoor. Intelligence agency officers have reportedly arrested the owner for interrogation. Dr Manzoor is said to be a farmer and lives in a nearby village.
Police express fear that there could be explosive material inside the house.
An Express News screengrab of a map showing the distance between PM Nawaz’s residence in Raiwind and the house in Arayian village.
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10:15am
More security personnel have been called in for back up.
Residents tells Express News that three men, a woman and a few children resided in the house. They had reportedly moved in six months ago.
The suspected militants are feared dead, however, security forces have not confirmed their deaths as yet.
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10:08am
The operation which started at 2am still continues after eight hours of on-and-off exchange of fire between security forces and militants.
Firing starts again after a lull of three hours.
An Express News screengrab of police officials present in the area.
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10:01am
Federal Minister Khanzada says security forces are not intensifying the operation as they want to arrest the suspected militants alive.
An Express News screengrab of Shuja Khanzada.
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9:57am
Security officers are using megaphones to communicate with the suspected militants.
Police have also urged residents of the area to remain inside their houses.
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9:53am
Minister for Anti-Terrorism Colonel Shuja Khanzada says women and children are also present inside the house.
The militants have fired three rockets at the security forces.
Security personnel have cordoned off the entire area and also laid siege to the house.
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9:44am
The exchange of fire between security forces and suspected militants has stopped, however, the house has not been cleared as yet.
High officials of two intelligence agencies are leading the operation.
The total number of injured personnel has reached five.
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7:00am
An Elite Force official was killed and another was injured when security forces and militants traded fire during the search operation in Lahore.
While talking to The Express Tribune, an official associated with the operation revealed that the exchange of fire began when security forces along started a search operation in Arayian village on a tip-off.
The suspected militants - allegedly equipped with heavy weaponry including grenades, rocket launchers and explosive devices - opened fire on security forces from inside a house.
At least two blasts were reportedly heard during the four-hour long operation in the area.
Security officials said they had sought reinforcements to aid in their operation. The DIG operation has also set Lahore's security on high alert.
SP Rao Anwar added that, “the operation is being conducted jointly" by security forces.
He urged the villagers to cooperate.
COMMENTS (34)
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Rs.million is announced to the policeman killed in this operation, good piece of amount as he saved the lives of premiers.
PTI strongly condemn the Raiwind terrorist attack, the Punjab government has failed to control the law and order situation in the province...... This is all because of the anti-poor policies of the government in which government’s priority is to build flyovers and renovate roads and politicizing police by using the best police force in the protocol of the Sharif family and the ministers
That was too close to MNS's residence in Raiwind. Is he on there list now? Wow! Rs 1 Crore for Shaheed police officer who laid his life so that PM may live.
We are glad to read that the situation has been brought under control. The enemies of peace continue to push ahead with their evil mission, and incidents like these prove that the terrorists continue to spread their wings and infiltrate the region. It is simply important to stand united against those who wish to work against our peace objectives in the region. It is our shared wish and desire to see peace prevail throughout the region, and our common sacrifices serve as a testament to our shared stance against terrorism. We realize the benefits of staying unified against our common enemies, and therefore, we remain fully optimistic in regards to the future of our partnership.
Ali Khan Digital Engagement Team, USCENTCOM
I wish security of whole Pakistan was as swift and aware as the security of 5 miles circle around PM house ...
Federal Minister Khanzada says security forces are not intensifying the operation as they want to arrest the suspected militants alive. Important question is why not Pakistan Military carry out military operations and forcibly evacuate all the people in that area. Why this preference to Lahore? In Northern Pakistan, Military straight away starts bombing campaigns. Are they waiting for a signal from Washington?
10hours and all of the resistance by 2 men only!?
10 hours!! too much time
10 Hours and continuing !!! Sir there's strong need for us that our forces develop and acquire innovative new technologies in fighting terrorism for example creative use of permitted anti terrorism gases to flush out the terrorists from their hideouts besides developing DHA societies and running bakeries.
BRAVO for the intelligence agencies who nullified the terrorist plans.
Jinnah vision getting realized....
we may have many differences with leaders of our homeland, But will never allow any one out sider to speak nonsense about our elders/leaders. Our patriotism does not match it. Please understand this factor.
Live reporting should also mean responsible but that doesn't seem to exist with Pakistan media.
Don't do operation, dialog should be the priority as there are children inside the compound. Imran Khan chairman PTI.
The comments here about the delay are just naive. The elite force is not entering or using deadly force since 1) They want to catch these terrorists alive so that they can interrogate them and see where their support is coming from .. our neighbors have been known to support the TTP. 2) There might be women and children that the police don't want to harm.
The people spreading stupid ideas on from across the border on these forms have no sense anyways.
@Rumormonger:
Because the operation is being conducted by our highly trained and sophisticated police force. Had it been Rangers or Army, they would had flushed their bodies out with in 3-4 hrs.
@Raghu: same treatment for you too also - TERRORIST.
Is it not taking too long? 2 am to 10:30am. For a handful of people stuck in a compound. They could have teargassed them to slow them down.
You must call your nationl bird (drone) to help...
Its not so surprising they're holed up near RAIWIND
I can't believe this, might be some black in daal
@numbersnumbers: Stupid comments make us laugh all day long!
The presence of these militants alarms us the possible presence of their companions all around in living areas of Punjab and whole country and needs to be thoroughly searched. Good job of security agencies.
No mercy kill them at once
@numbersnumbers: Keep your opinions to yourself INDIAN!
This area cannot be too far from prime ministers residence. If terrorist were residing with women and children for some time. It raises disturbing questions. If heavy weapons are present in this village. How are they brought in. At this time all need to support the forces.
Good intelligence work at its best. Hopefully they will able to grab these militants dead or alive
Hmm, a drone would be very useful now, with minimal collateral damage to Pakistani forces, OR Pakistani forces could set up a hard perimeter, then inform the compound that a drone is on the way, just to see if the rats try to scurry away!
Keep it up dont let them go, kill these so called Controctors of Islam. Show no mearcy on them. We all pray for those Embraced shadat
Bomb that compound. No mercy for these criminals.
Well done Punjab Police. May Allah bless you.