Kirani Road blast mastermind, 170 others arrested

QUETTA – Security forces killed four terrorists and arrested seven others, including a high-value target, in a pre-dawn raid on suburban areas of Quetta on Tuesday, officials said, two law enforcers were also hurt. "Those who were killed were high-profile target killers," said Home Secretary Akbar Hussain Durrani, adding that one of the masterminds of Saturday's attack, that killed 89 people, was among those in custody. Sources said the group (LeJ) was planning a deadly attack on the Hazara community. Sources in the Balochistan Home Ministry said the action was taken on a tip-off about the presence of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi operatives in any suburban area. A spokesperson for the Frontier Corps said security personnel surrounded a suspicious house and killed four alleged target killers after a massive exchange of fire. Three Kalashnikovs, 100 rounds, two 107 MM rockets, 2 anti-person mines, 1 mine weighing 5 kg, 80 kg explosive material, ball bearings and 3 remotes were also seized. One of the dead was identified as Shah Wali, a bomb maker and head of LeJ. Wali was involved in killing of police officials, Hazaras and a judge Zulfikar, and an attack on Shia pilgrims’ bus in Mastung. He was the main planner of Alamdar Road blast. “Three more accused were arrested on the pointation of the detained accused,” the FC spokesperson said, “More important disclosures are expected.” Home Secretary Akbar Durrani said the terrorists were asked to surrender, but they opened fire on security personnel. He said in retaliatory firing, security personnel killed four of them and arrested seven others. Those killed were identified as Shah Wali, a resident of Raheem Yar Khan, Abdul Wahab of Kohlu district, Rahim Khan from Quetta and Anwar Khan of Karachi’s Manghopir area. Commandant of Gazaband Squads Colonial Maqbool meanwhile said the arrested persons were from the same organisation. The home secretary also said 170 suspected persons had been arrested from different parts of Quetta in raids by police and interrogation was going on. The arrested suspects also included Muhammad Rafiq Mengal, leader of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat.The other day, the Majlis Wahdat-ul-Muslimeen presented ten demands to call off its strike and burry the 65 dead of the Kirani Road blast. It had also demanded the arrest of Muhammad Rafiq Mengal and Ramzan Mengal. Meanwhile, the Frontier Corps arrested PPP’s former minister Ali Madad Jattak along with 15 armed guards on the outskirts of Quetta. Security sources said Ali Madad Jattak was apprehended from Hazara Ganji. Twelve SMGs, 3 vehicles and other stuff were also seized. Jattak was now under detention of the FC, sources said, adding that the reason for his arrest was not disclosed. There is possibility that he might have been held for having links with the banned Lashkar-e-Jhangvi or he could have been arrested by the National Accountability Bureau. 

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