Jan 16, 2015
LAHORE - More than 250 suspects including some Afghan nationals have been detained during the search and sweep operations launched in the provincial metropolis to hunt down militants and extremists amid terror threats.
A Lahore police spokesperson said on Thursday that the police clampdown on the religious elements involved in spreading hatred by making provocative speeches, wall-chalking, and printing or distribution of banned material would also continue to fully implement the national action plan.
A day earlier, police arrested 85 persons on the charges of loudspeaker misuse, wall-chalking and distribution of hatred material. Police also seized more than 100 loudspeakers as the crackdown against the extremists has been stepped up in the provincial metropolis.
On the orders of Lahore DIG (Operations) Dr Haider Ashraf, police are conducting security sweeps on daily basis. Hundreds of cops including elite commandoes and policewomen are taking part in the search operations involving door-to-door search and collection of residents' information.
Sources said that the police, in this ongoing campaign against criminals and militants, conducted operations in different parts of Lahore including Ring Road, Lorry Adda, Airport and railway stations surroundings. During the crackdown, over 250 suspects were arrested and shifted to police stations for interrogation.
DIG Haider Ashraf told reporters on Thursday that they also arrested some Afghan refugees during the last 24 hours from various parts of city. He said that some Afghan refugees having no identification documents were also arrested under section 14 of the Foreign Act and were being interrogated. He added that a special investigation team was interrogating all the suspected persons.
The DIG also warned that the miscreants found involved in printing or distribution of hatred material, wall-chalking and provocative speeches would be dealt with iron hands.
He said that the security was put on high alert and search operations were launched in Lahore after the deadliest terror assault on the Army Public School in Peshawar. He further directed the field officers to intensify armed patrolling in the sensitive localities to deter suspected activities.
(The Nation)
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