Punjab Police arrest 935 illegal Afghans

LAHORE: Punjab police have arrested 935 illegal Afghan refugees under Foreign Act from different cities during a comprehensive clean-up operation launched under National Action Plan to root out terrorism.
During the special crackdown launched on December 16, 2014 against illegal settlers, the Punjab police registered 465 cases against Afghan refugees after arresting 935 suspected persons. Out of the total, 755 suspects were sent to jails while 180 managed to secure bails.
The data available with The News shows that Gujranwala range topped in arresting suspects and registering cases against illegal residents, who failed to prove their identity. Gujranwala Range arrested 367 Afghan refugees and registered cases against them. Out of the total arrested persons, 323 were sent to jail while 44 managed to secure bails.
Interestingly, Bahawalpur range stood second by arresting 119 illegal Afghan refugees and registering 24 cases against suspects. Out of the total arrested persons, 51 managed to secure bail while 68 were sent to jails.
Multan range was calculated at third number with 95 arrests and 95 cases against such illegal settlers while Faisalabad range stood fourth with 91 arrests and 15 cases. Rawalpindi region bagged 5th position by arresting 73 illegal Afghans and registering 15 cases against them.
The data available with The News further shows that Lahore and DG Khan ranges stood on 6th number with 59 arrests. The Lahore police registered 59 cases against suspects while D.G. Khan registered 25 cases. None of the suspects was bailed out in Lahore while in D.G. Khan 18 persons secured bails. Sahiwal region was calculated 7th with only 18 arrests and 6 cases while Sheikhupura range stood last with only 7 such arrests during the special crackdown.
Talking to The News, Inspector General of Police, Punjab, Mushtaq Ahmad Sukhera, confirmed the arrests and said the Punjab police have been utilizing all-out resources to combat terrorism from the province in coordination with other law-enforcement agencies.
Mushtaq Sukhera said the Punjab police would develop confidence among the locals and foreigners regarding security to their lives and properties. The peaceful environment also helped to invite international cricket team of Kenya in Lahore as international sports events were stopped after the attack on Sri Lankan cricket team.
The IG further said the officers and officials of Punjab police have been performing duties effectively which also helped arrest a suicide bomber from a bus near Rawalpindi. It had also helped to organize cricket matches in Lahore with the team of Kenya.
The IG also said the Punjab Police have been providing foolproof security cover to all private and public educational institutions. He added he was personally monitoring the security measures at different schools. He resolved to uproot terrorism from society in cooperation with public and other law enforcers.
To a question, he said four special police stations would be made operational soon to deal with terrorism-related cases. These police stations are being established in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad and Multan under the command of Counter Terrorism Department.
After Peshawar attack, the federal government had devised a National Action Plan to counter terrorism from the country. Special tasks were assigned to provincial governments. The Punjab government also launched special crackdowns against illegal residents and facilitators of terrorists. The police in coordination with sensitive agencies have launched special crackdown against suspected terrorists. Extensive patrolling is being conducted in crime-hit areas.