Addressing a press conference, CPO Aamir Zulifqar said that following a tip-off, police along with intelligence forces raided and arrested five terrorists of Tehreek-e-Taliban Rana Afzal alias Noor Khan group. The arrested were identified as Rana Muhammad Abdullah, Muhammad Suleman alias Qari Sahib, Muhammad Younis, Aqib Ali alias Usman and Muhammad Tahir. The CPO said that Rana Afzal group was involved in heinous terrorist activities including attacks on 15 Centre Lahore, Sri Lankan cricket team, PAF bus Sargodha, PTS Sargodha and other incidents. He said the terrorists had planned to attack army, police, sensitive institutions and public gatherings.

Aamir Zulifqar said that the terrorists were also planning to attack religious leaders, abductions for ransom, and use explosives in terrorist activities. He said that police had also recovered one Kalashnikov, three magazines, a rifle, three magazines, three pistols, six magazines, 120 bullets, silver powder, ammonium nitrate, iodine, potassium chloride and detonators. The CPO also announced cash prizes and appreciation certificates for police officials. He also urged people and local traders to cooperate with police to eliminate firework business in the market.