Search and strike: Scores of suspects arrested in fresh sweeps

Police and security forces conduct joint operation in Khurasan Refugee Camp.


Our Correspondent February 07, 2015
Around 60 suspects and 17 unregistered refugees were arrested. PHOTO: AFP

MINGORA/ PESHAWAR:


As many as 77 suspects, including unregistered Afghan refugees, were arrested in a search and strike operation in Khurasan Refugee Camp on the city’s outskirts Saturday morning.


The operation was jointly conducted by security forces and police in the area located within the jurisdiction of Khazana police. Around 60 suspects and 17 unregistered refugees were arrested. They have been booked under the Foreigner’s Act and are being interrogated, said police.

“The illegal refugees would be deported to Afghanistan while the rest of the men are being questioned,” said an official of Khazana police station. He added the operation was conducted between 5am and 9am.

According to the police, a warning had been issued to the camp’s elders a week ago directing them to expel Afghan nationals who were residing in the country illegally.

A province-wide crackdown against unregistered refugees was launched by the government in the aftermath of the Army Public School massacre on December 16 last year.

Promotion system

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa police has planned to introduce a fast-track promotion system for inspectors and sub-inspectors through a Public Service Commission examination.

The decision was taken during a meeting held at Central Police Office on Saturday with IGP Nasir Khan Durrani in the chair. AIG headquarters, AIG investigation, AIG operations, AIG special branch and other high-ranking officials attended the meeting.

Speaking on the occasion, IGP Nasir Khan Durrani said the new system will provide meritorious officers opportunities to move up the ranks easily through an examination for which a 25% quota has been reserved. Officers will be tested on their knowledge of law and modern policing, he added. “It will foster healthy professional competition within the force,” the IGP said.

Safety in Swat

Newly-appointed Swat DPO Saleem Marwat said his doors are open for everyone and that he will take tangible steps to curb crime in the valley.

Speaking to the media at Mingora police station on Saturday, Marwat said the department requires the support of journalists in clamping down on anti-social activities.

The DPO said encroachment is a major contributor towards Mingora’s traffic woes and that a crackdown against illegal rickshaws is on the cards.

“Elimination of encroachments is vital for the smooth flow of traffic,” he said, adding a meeting of tehsil municipal officials and local elders will soon be convened in this regard. Marwat said underage driving will be banned completely. “If a minor is caught driving, his father will be summoned to the police station,” he said.

He said kidnappings for ransom and theft are also on the rise in the valley and action will be taken against organised criminal rings.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 8th, 2015.

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