Hundreds of suspects held in Mardan, Swabi search operations

MARDAN: Hundreds of suspects and the alleged facilitators of terrorists were arrested during the ongoing search operations by the Pak Army personnel in the far-flung areas of Mardan and Swabi districts.

According to an official statement, massive search operations had been carried out in various areas in the two districts. “During the search operations, a large number of suspected persons have been apprehended,” the communiqué said, adding that “intelligence-based operations” of the Pak Army soldiers along with the police and personnel of the intelligence agencies were carried out at the Khagan Afghan refugees’ camp in Mardan and surrounding areas of Shewa area in Swabi.

The statement said that over 200 terrorists, their sympathisers and facilitators had been apprehended thus far. It said that the search operations were led by the Pak Army personnel assisted by the police and officials of the intelligence agencies.

The communiqué said these operations were being conducted on the basis of information provided by the intelligence agencies. A large number of weapons, explosives and ammunition were seized in the action.

The search operations are part of the series of actions being conducted throughout the country under the National Action Plan to stamp out terrorism.The arrested persons, the statement said, had been taken to secret locations, where they were being grilled.