SARGODHA: Two suspected terrorists, believed to be members of the defunct Lashkar-i-Jhangvi (LJ) and also working for Al Qaeda, were arrested at a village near here on Saturday.

According to Regional Police Officer Zulfikar Hameed, two suicide jackets, five hand grenades, seven Kalashnikov rifles and explosive material were seized from the possession of Usman alias Muawia and Qari Ejaz, who were arrested in the Chak 53-NB area.

They have been shifted to an undisclosed place for interrogation.

The official claimed that the suspects were planning to carry out terrorist activities in Sargodha and other areas of Punjab.

According to police sources, they were planning to attack Muharram processions in the city. They said that the suspects were expert at preparing suicide jackets and had obtained training in Wana, South Waziristan.

They said that police were tracing facilitators of the suspects as the defunct LJ, now operating under the name of the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat, had several safe places in Sargodha, particularly some madressahs being run by the organisation.

Police are on high alert and, according to sources, will seek help of army troops to maintain law and order on Muharram 9 and 10.

Published in Dawn, October 9th, 2016