Eight suspects killed in a few days,say Rangers, police officers

 Rangers operation in Punjab

LAHORE: Eight suspects have been killed, dozens arrested and a huge cache of weapons seized in joint search and combing operation under Operation Raddul Fasad during the last few days. 

A soldier of Pakistan Rangers, Punjab, was martyred and another injured in operations in Dera Ghazi Khan. This was stated by Col Amjad Iqbal during a press briefing held by the Pakistan Rangers and local police regarding progress in “Operation Raddul Fassad” at Rangers Headquarters in Lahore on Thursday.

Col Amjad Iqbal, Lahore Police DIG Operations Dr Haider Ashraf and Punjab AIG Operations Akhtar gave briefing to the media persons on the ongoing operations.  Amjad Iqbal said that on April 12, a joint operation was conducted at Muza Pamra So, Par Lakhan and Par Bundi in Hafizabad district and 12 suspects were taken into custody and seven AK-47 rifles, one 3-G rifle, two 08 mm rifles, 16 other rifles and pistols were seized another such operation on April 12 night in Basti Kaleri, Taunsa, Dera Ghazi Khan district, three suspects belonging to TTP were killed, four suicide jackets, one rocket launcher, six rockets, 10 kg explosives, 20,000 rounds, six detectors and four charge boosters were seized. A soldier of Punjab Rangers was injured in the operation.

On April 12 night, in an action on motorway, two suspects were arrested near Sambarial, Kharian, Sheikhupura. On their information, six suspects were also arrested and one American four rifle, two repeaters, six 44 bore rifles, 22 pistols and 55,000 rounds were seized. The ammunition was presumed to be used in terrorist activities, Amjad said.

In another joint operations at Manawala, Defence area of Lahore on Thursday, the law enforcement agencies  arrested six suspects and recovered 38 weapons, 67 magazines and 4500 rounds.

A suspect, during search operations, was also arrested in Attock.The law enforcement agencies   were investigating him and it was expected that information from him might lead to further action.

In another joint action on April 9 in the tribal areas of Dera Ghazi Khan, five suspects were killed. The suspects belonged to BLA and had also acted as facilitator of TTP. Their affiliations with these banned outfits were also ascertained from BLA sources. They carried head money of millions of rupees. Illegal weapons were seized from their custody, Amjad said.

Amjad said that Pakistan Rangers, Punjab, was busy in action in collaboration with other institutions against terrorists. Preparations and planning for the purpose were underway. He said that deployment of illegal private security guards and display of weapon was illegal under National Action Plan (NAP). He warned of action against the violators. 

As far as activities by Lahore police for implementation of NAP and Operation Radd-ul-Fasad were concerned, official data of Lahore Ppolice shows that a total of 3,096 combing and search operations were conducted in collaboration with Lahore police from February 22 to April 12. A total of 212,159 persons were questioned, 1,546 detained and 210,613 persons were released.

Out of 3,096 search and combing operations, 2,805 operations were solely conducted by Lahore police. In these operations, 156,188 persons were questioned, 1083 were detained and 155,105 were released.

About 218 joint operations were conducted with the help of intelligence agencies and were led by Lahore police, in which, 50,170 persons were questioned, 378 detained and 49,792 were released. About 73 joint operations, in collaboration with police and intelligence agencies, were led by Rangers. In these operations, 5,801 persons were questioned, 85 were detained and 5716 were released.

DIG Operations Dr Haider Ashraf said that Lahore police were conducting search operations on daily basis. They were collaborating with all the law enforcement agencies. He said that a large number of police officers and police officials had sacrificed their lives in fighting terrorism. Their morale was high and they would keep on fighting until terrorists were defeated, he added.