84 more arrested in Mardan, Swabi

MARDAN: The Pakistan Army, backed by the police and intelligence agencies, have arrested another 84 suspects during the ongoing search and strike operations in Mardan and Swabi districts.

Official sources said that those arrested during the late-night operation in Mardan also include an improvised explosive device (IED) trainer.

The fresh actions were taken in Purana Matta, Rahatkhel, Landay Shah areas in Katlang town of Mardan district, and Guli Bagh areas and surrounding localities in Swabi district.

More than 1000 houses, including Afghan settlements, were searched and over 100 illegal arms of various calibres including Kalashnikovs, rifles and pistols, more than 80 ammunition boxes and electronic gadgetries, were recovered.

The operation is part of series of operations being conducted in settled areas throughout the country to arrest the militants who have reportedly escaped the Operation Zarb-i-Azb, an official said.

More than 160 suspects, including facilitators of militants, had been apprehended on the first day of the ongoing operation in Mardan and Swabi on April 4.

Our correspondent in Kohat adds: The police on Saturday arrested 35 suspected persons, including several Afghan nationals, during a search operation in parts of the district, police officials said.

They said the police carried out the search in Muhammadzai and Zwaki Banda area and made the arrests.

They said the arrested persons included several Afghan nationals who were staying illegally in the district.

The police also reacovered a SMG gun, two repeaters, five pistols and hundreds of cartridges from the arrested suspects.  

Five dacoits arrested in Dir: The police in Lower Dir on Saturday claimed to have arrested two dacoits who allegedly looted a house situated in the limits of Mayar Police Station.

Speaking at a press conference, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) headquarters Atiq Hussain said three dacoits had barged into a house in the limits of Mayar Police Station two days ago. The dacoits had looted the house after taking all the inmates hostage at gunpoint along with the women and children.

Police started investigation after lodging the first information report (FIR) and arrested two accused Dost Muhammad of Charmango and Ihsanullah of Warsha Dherai in Lower Dir.