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.