Islamabad - Islamabad police along with Pakistan Rangers conducted search operation in Tarnol and its adjacent areas and arrested 49 suspects including 8 Afghan nationals, a police spokesman informed yesterday.

Police also recovered huge cache of arms and ammunition from the possession of the detainees who are being grilled, he said.

Following the directions of the Inspector General of Islamabad Police Tariq Masood Yasin, he said, SSP (Operations) Sajid Kiani has prepared a special plan of search and combing in the city. According to this plan, search operation has been initiated and the police are conducting checking at slum areas, inns, hotels and restaurants and Afghan habitats.

He said these measures are being taken to ensure foolproof security during Muharram-ul-Haram and keep a vigilant eye on the suspected elements.

He said that law enforcement agencies  conducted search operation in areas of Dhoke Abbasi, Dhoke Paracha, Medina Town, Ittfaq Colony and Sarae Kharboza of Tarnol police station in which they searched houses, workshops, markets, under-construction buildings and residential areas.

Police including lady commandos and women police also participated in the operation. The teams succeeded to arrest 49 suspects including 8 Afghan nationals.

During this grand search operation a heavy amount of weapons was also recovered from the possession of the arrested persons. The arms and ammunition included 2 SMG guns, 3 guns of 12-bore, four repeaters, 6 pistols of 30-bore, one 9mm pistol, two 222 rifles along with ammunition of all types of weapons and mobile phones from their possession.

Talking to media men, SSP (Operations) Islamabad Sajid Kiani has said that on the special orders by the Federal Interior Minister Chuadhry Nisar Ali Khan a comprehensive plan of searching and combing has been devised to secure the city during Muharram. He said Islamabad police would continue search operations in coming days and complete combing of sensitive areas would be made.

He said cases would be registered against illegal weapon holders and the licensed weapons would also be verified. He has also appealed the citizens to remain vigilant and inform police in case of any suspicious activity around them.

On the other hand, IG Islamabad Tariq Masood Yasin visited Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and inquired about the health of Constable Irfan Ahmed. He was flanked by SSP (Operations) Sajid Kiani and other police officers. The constable received fatal head injuries an official vehicle of Islamabad police met with an accident while chasing a suspect’s vehicle.