70 suspected militants taken into custody in Lahore

Arrests come a week after PM Nawaz directed Punjab govt to ensure implementation of NAP in the province

LAHORE: Following implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP) in Punjab, Rangers on Friday conducted night-long raids in Lahore, taking into custody 70 suspected militants.

The raids come a week after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif directed the Punjab Government to ensure implementation of the NAP to eradicate terrorism from the province.

The raids were carried out at several locations including houses, hotels and restaurants, after which 70 suspected militants were arrested.

Read: PM directs Punjab govt to ensure implementation of NAP

Security in various areas has been beefed up while further investigation continues.

The move to ensure implementation of the NAP comes after two suicide bombers killed Punjab’s top security czar, Shuja Khanzada, who had campaigned against militants.

Earlier, a high-level meeting chaired by the premier reviewed the progress of the NAP and the internal security situation of the country in Karachi, after which he directed the Punjab Government to ensure implementation of the NAP in the country's largest province.