Islamabad Police. Photo: APP (file)
RAWALPINDI:
The Anti-Terrorism Department (CTD), Rawalpindi, in coordination with relevant agencies, have arrested seven suspects linked to the facilitators and organizers of the recent suicide attack at the Islamabad Judicial Complex, sources said on Thursday.
The suspects were transferred to an undisclosed location, where authorities launched in-depth investigations into the network behind Tuesday’s attack, which claimed the lives of 12 people and injured 28 others.
Official sources said a group of extremists associated with Fitna al-Hindustan targeted police officers and civilians outside the court complex in a bid to sow chaos across the country. The victims included both police officers and lawyers.
A case has been registered at CTD Islamabad under the Anti-Terrorism Act, citing charges of murder, attempt to murder and other relevant offences. The CTD, alongside investigative teams from other agencies, is actively pursuing leads to dismantle the network.
Using Safe City cameras installed in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, authorities traced the suicide bomber to the crime scene and determined his arrival points. Sources said the suspect arrived with a motorcyclist for a payment of Rs200.
“The suspect was then seen moving to several locations near the court complex,” a source said. Investigators also revealed that the alleged facilitator was present in Pirwadhai area of Rawalpindi, prompting CTD Rawalpindi to launch a dedicated operation.
Over the last 18-24 hours, simultaneous operations were carried out in Pirwadhai, Fauji Colony and Dhokh Kashmir, as well as parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Authorities arrested six to seven suspects and transferred them to undisclosed locations for further questioning.
Late on Wednesday and Thursday night, Islamabad and Rawalpindi police, along with relevant agencies, conducted search operations in Tarnol and Ganjmandi jurisdictions, sources said.
Meanwhile, in view of the prevailing security concerns and the ongoing cricket series in Rawalpindi, the police carried out large-scale operations in several areas of the city and arrested dozens of suspects.
“During the operations, authorities inspected 1,350 houses, 183 shops and 33 hotels, and checked the records of more than 1,300 people. Biometric verification was carried out, which resulted in the arrest of 56 Afghan nationals residing illegally in the city, as well as a wanted criminal,” an official said.
A Rawalpindi police spokesperson said the main objective of these operations was to maintain public order. “All available resources are being deployed to ensure public safety and secure the city against potential threats,” the spokesperson added.
