Punjab police are playing front-line role against war on terror:IGP

Lahore: ism besides maintaining peace and law and order situation in the province. This war would continue until crimes and terrorism is eliminated from the province. The police have been ordered to launch massive search operations on permanent basis across the province to ensure peace and foolproof security during the holy month of Muharram-ul-Haram.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Punjab Muhammad Habib-ur-Rehman expressed these views while addressing a press conference at Police Club Lahore today. Additional-IG CTD Hassan Mushtaq Sukhera, CCPO Lahore Aslam Tareen, RPO Multan Aamir Zulifqar, DIG (Operations) Lahore Muhammad Tahir Rai, DIG (Investigations) Chaudhry Muhammad Shafique, PSO to IGP Muhammad Ali Nakokar and SP CIA Omar Virk were also present on this occasion.

The IGP disclosed to the media that the Multan police have arrested five terrorists of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP’s) Qari Yasin Group during a successful operation which took place in Multan. This group is involved in several terror attacks occurred in the Punjab province. The terrorists included Habib-ur-Rehman s/o Khuda Bakhsh, Imtaiz s/o Nazir Ahmed, Hafiz Muhammad Ramazan s/o Imam Bakhsh, Muhammad Imran s/o Sakhi Jan, and Ameer Moavia s/o Faqeer Bakhsh. These terrorists belonged to DI Khan and the police also recovered two Kalashnikovs, four magazines, three 30-bore pistols, and 105 bullets from their possession.

The provincial police chief further said that Qari Yasin faction of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is based in Miran Shah and is involved in several high profile terror attacks, which took place in different parts of the country. Abdul Ghaffar alias Qari Saif Ullah, the main commander of this group, was killed during shootout with Multan police near Pul Ghazi Ghat in DG Khan on August 1, 2012. He was wanted to the Punjab police in several cases of banks robberies and terror attacks. The third important member of this group was Imran Gandapur of DI Khan, who was the in-charge of terror activities in Khyber PK province. He had killed a police constable Muhammad Jahangir of Khyber PK province and later he along with his accomplices was also shot dead during an encounter with the police.

Following the killing of Imran Gandapur, Iqbal Rashid alias Rashu had become Operational In-charge of QARI Yasin group. To take revenge of the killing of Gandapur, Rashu had planned killings of security personnel of Khyber PK province. Rashu is the man accused who had masterminded suicidal attack on DPO Dera Ismail Khan, killings of police constables, terror attack on Shiite and the recent terror attacks which took place in the Punjab province.

Muhammad Habib-ur-Rehman further said that Iqbal alias Rashu, Hameed Ullah, Niamat Ullah, Hammad Ullah, Jandullah, Habib-ur-Rehman and Imtiaz were involved in gun attack on prison policemen in Rasool Park Lahore while Muhammad Ramazan, Ameer Moavia and Muhammad Imran has aided and assisted the terror attack.

About security on Muharram-ul-Haram, the IGP said that more than 118,308 policemen to be deployed across the province to maintain peace and security around Majalis, processions and Imambargahs. The police chief warned that the elements found involved in spreading hatred material and provocative speeches would be dealt with iron hands. The police also said that the religious activists and leaders found involved in spreading extremism would be arrested immediately and would also imprisoned in far-flung areas.

Meanwhile, IGP Muhammad Habib-ur-Rehman announced cash prizes and commendatory certificates for the RPO Multan and his team for their outstanding performance.