Long overdue: Suspect in Kohistan sectarian attack caught in Diamer

Police say Farmanullah was wanted since 2005 in several high-profile cases.

GILGIT: A high-profile militant was arrested in Diamer Valley on Friday. According to a senior police official, the man arrested is believed to be the mastermind behind sectarian attacks in Diamer and Kohistan districts.

Farmanullah was en route to Gumari from Manikal village within Diamer when he was intercepted. He was arrested based on an intelligence tip. The police also confiscated a mask, an artificial beard, a wig, and a number of sophisticated guns loaded with ammunition from his possession.

“He was an active member of a banned terrorist outfit operating in the region. This man was also a prime suspect in high-profile terrorism cases in Kohistan, Diamer and Ghizer,” said the official on condition of anonymity as he was not authorised to talk to the media.

In February 2012, 16 men were hauled off buses in Kohistan and shot dead by assailants disguised in military uniforms. The victims were first asked for identifications, stood in a line and sprayed with bullets. Fifteen of the 16 passengers killed were Shias.

A hunt of old

Police starting filing cases against Farmanullah in 2005. He was booked in 2005 under various sections after investigation determined his criminal involvement. He was also declared a proclaimed offender by court of law. The home department also set a bounty worth Rs 0.5 million for his arrest. However, he successfully eluded law-enforcement till now.

“Carrying a wig and beard cannot be downplayed these days since militancy has become a major issue. This is an important matter and we hope the information from him will lead us to the entire network.”

Police believe the accused was also behind the ransacking of a police check post in Ghizer Valley in September.

“When officials tried to arrest him, he opened indiscriminate fire. Luckily, it missed the target,” said the official, adding they were counting on obtaining information from the suspect.The accused will be interrogated by a joint investigation team.

A spokesperson for the G-B police confirmed the arrest and called it a major achievement for the department. “This is really an achievement and it has boosted police morale significantly,” Mubarak Jan told The Express Tribune. IGP Captain (retd) Zafar Iqbal Awan announced a cash reward and commendation certificates for the officers who apprehended the militant.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 2^nd, 2015.