Dozens held in countrywide raids

ISLAMABAD/QUETTA/PESHAWAR - The security forces have arrested five more suspects besides recovering arms and ammunition during search operations in different parts of Swat and Malakand, says an update issued by ISPR on Monday. Sources have also disclosed capture of two high-value terrorists by Islamabad Police. And in Peshawar, Maulvi Rafi ullah, an alleged militant and JUI-F leader, was arrested along with his four colleagues in Kohat. Sources say Rafi ullah was wanted in many cases of abduction. In the recent past, police had raided his residence and released many persons from captivity. Meanwhile in Quetta, police and other law enforcement agencies on Monday arrested alleged Taliban commander Mullah Ubaidullah alias Baidoo along with 20 aides, while 13 terrorists, including 12 Arabs and Afghans, were also held in Sibi. According to the ISPR press release, the security forces conducted search operation near Matta and Shahdono Sar and recovered three small machine guns, two pistols, one rifle including ammunition and two improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Five major villages were searched besides clearing small hamlets. In a search operation at village Kandla in Utror Valley near Kalam from where two terror suspects were apprehended and two machine guns including ammunition were recovered. In search operation at village Mankial, the local Jirga handed over a suspected terrorist namely Iqbal to the security forces. Security forces carried out search operation at Tangbanr, Giga, and recovered one machine gun, three pistols and one rifle including ammunition. During search operation at Kalagai, District Shangla, the security forces apprehended a well-known terrorist Khanzada from his house. At Bashkhela near Matta, the security forces destroyed two tunnels and recovered five IEDs and two machine guns. On the other hand, Islamabad Police have arrested two high-value terror suspects and foiled their attempt to carry out strikes in the federal capital, sources revealed on Monday. On the other hand, the two high-value terror suspects, Muhammad Owais and Obaidullah, held in Islamabad are among those 31 alleged terrorists who have been captured during last few days. They belonged to various groups including Ghazi Force, Baitullah Mehsud Group, Tehrik-e-Taliban Buner Group, Momin Group, Ilyas Kashmiri Group and Al-Qaeda. Both Owais and Obaidullah have links with terrorists of Miran Shah, Battagram and Buner. They used to brainwash innocent youth from the areas of Islamabad, Punjab and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir and send them to militants training camps. Both the accused are expert in using the latest weapons and have also got training of preparing bombs from Taliban situated in Miran Shah and Battagram. Owais (34) belongs to District Poonch, Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, and had been living with his parents at Munawar Colony, Adiala Road, Rawalpindi, for the last 15 year. He is also expert in the fields of electronics and communication and plied a taxi to remain in low profile. His father Muhammad Zaman is a retired schoolteacher. He has also received navigation training and was a student of electronics. He was working with Taliban as communication expert and used to trap the communication of police and security forces. The other accused, Obaidullah (30), is a resident of Tehsil Jund, District Attock. He had been residing with his father Abdullah at Westridge, Rawalpindi, for the last 13 years. He is a diploma holder in associate engineering and has the degree of MCSE. He was teaching at NICON Computer College, G-9/3 Islamabad. These accused were also involved in attacks on Special Branch premises on April 23 and FC camp at sector F-7/2 on May 4 earlier this year. The main culprits of these explosions Fidaullah and Khurram Shehzad were also in contact with these nabbed persons. They had also premature information about bomb explosion at the camp of Pakistan Peoples party during lawyers rally at F-8 on July 17, which resulted in the killings of 18 persons. These persons had also contacts with the main culprit behind this explosion Faseehullah alias Tipu while he was imprisoned. They used to communicate and give money to Tipu and Fidaullah that was supplied by Shoaib, a resident of Lahore. These culprits were the main workers of Ghazi Force and their arrests provided a tip-off to police about a huge network. Interior Minister Rehman Malik has appreciated the performance of Islamabad police. The ongoing action against terrorists, is in full swing in Balochistan was well, as police have arrested Maulana Obaidullah, a Taliban commander in Quetta. Official sources told The Nation police raided a house located in Eastern-Bypass at Muslim Ittehad Colony and captured the militant commander and 20 other associated persons, while also recovered kalashnikovs rifles and hand grenades. Mullah Ubaidullah was wanted in different cases particularly in land grabbing. However, some sources believe that Ubaidullah has close links with Taliban and enjoys influence in Afghanistan. Police shifted the suspected persons to Cantt Police Station and started further investigation. Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies have arrested 13 suspected foreigners near Sibi. Official sources say they received information about the terrorists who were travelling on a bus from Quetta. The law enforcement agencies tightened security at the national highway leading to Peshawar near Sibi some 200 km east of Quetta and stopped the vehicle for search, which resulted in the arrests. Sources say five of them are from Saudi Arab, two from Turkey and five from Afghanistan, while one of them hails from Waziristan. They said the suspected terrorists wanted to enter Punjab using a bus, which was on its way from Quetta to Peshawar. They further said explosive devices, suicide jackets, documents and foreign currency were also recovered from their possession. Law enforcement agencies have shifted them to an unknown location for further investigation.

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