Terror network behind Lahore blast busted

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar said on Monday law enforcement agencies had arrested all the culprits involved in the last week’s bomb blast in Lahore and proof of hostile intelligence agency’s role in the terrorist incident had been found.

The hostile agency provided financial assistance to the terrorists for carrying out the blast, which had left three people dead and 22 others, including two policemen, injured, the chief minister told a news conference here. He said the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) traced the culprits within 16 hours after the blast in Johar Town through conducting investigation on scientific lines. Buzdar said bomb was placed in the trunk of a car that ripped through. He added soon after the explosion, he directed law enforcement agencies to conduct a thorough inquiry into the incident.

Health emergency was imposed at hospitals to provide best possible medical facilities to the injured, he said, adding he himself enquired after the wounded during his visit to Jinnah Hospital. The chief minister said those who were involved in purchasing the vehicle used in the terrorist attack, recce and other facilitators had been arrested.

He appreciated the efforts of Punjab police, CTD and other law enforcement agencies for conducting the investigation in a professional manner.

Punjab police chief Inam Ghani told journalists at the news conference that about 10 accused, including perpetrators and facilitators of the blast, had been arrested. He said agents of a hostile intelligence agency had been identified in the blast and their information had also been shared with the federal government and national intelligence agencies.

He said a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) had been formed which would investigate and compile a complete data of the culprits. “It was a great success of police and other law enforcement agencies which took part in the whole investigation process to arrest the accused and crush their network.”

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid on Monday disclosed that a very dangerous terrorist group linked with Indian intelligence agency, RAW, had been arrested from Karachi, which was on a mission to conduct terrorist activities in major cities of the country.

Rashid, however, clarified the group was not involved in the recent Lahore blast. But he added they found involvement of another group linked with Indian intelligence agency in the terrorist act.Details of suspected group could not be revealed at the moment, he said, adding they had arrested those involved in the cowardly act with one facilitator.