Lucrative loot: 18 suspects nabbed in Khyber Agency

Security forces seize anti-aircraft guns, anti-tank mines in Central Kurram Agency

PESHAWAR: At least 18 people were arrested in Khyber Agency while weapons and explosives were seized in Central Kurram Agency on Saturday.

According to the copy of a statement available with The Express Tribune, Frontier Corps arrested 18 suspects in Landikotal, Khyber Agency over their involvement in financing terrorism within the region.

A large amount of money, gems and gold worth Rs65.061 million were confiscated and displayed at Torkhan, Landikotal.

Read: Nabbed: CTD arrests notorious militant

An FC spokesperson told The Express Tribune that gold and jewellery were used by smugglers to finance militancy in the region. “We have found  large amounts in US dollars, Saudi riyals and UAE dirhams,” he added.

In another intelligence-based operation in Central Kurram Agency, security forces seized anti-aircraft guns, anti-tank mines and 30 kilogrammes of dynamite.

According to a statement issued by Inter-Service Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing, the raid was conducted in Dhol Ragha.  “The search and strike operation was conducted in the middle of the night,” read the statement. “Weapons and ammunitions were hidden in a cave.” Both raids were conducted based on intelligence information.

Following the brutal attack on Army Public School in Peshawar on December 16, a 20-point National Action Plan was introduced to combat militancy in the country.

The 20-point agenda envisages the establishment of special courts for the speedy trial of terror suspects, and a crackdown on militant and sectarian outfits.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 18^th, 2015.