55 suspects arrested over seminary bombing

Published October 29, 2020
A rescue worker examines remains at the site of a blast at a madressah in Peshawar on October 27. — AFP
A rescue worker examines remains at the site of a blast at a madressah in Peshawar on October 27. — AFP

PESHAWAR: The police on Wednesday arrested 55 suspects in Yakatoot area here over the seminary bombing, which killed eight people and injured 120 on Tuesday.

A statement issued here said the arrests came during a major crackdown, which was launched by the Rapid Response Force, Ladies Police and Bomb Disposal Unit in Dir Colony, where the bomb blast had occurred, and adjoining areas.

It added that a special investigation team had been formed to interrogate suspects.

According to the statement, security of the city has been beefed up, while a security plan is being chalked out to ensure peace on Rabiul Awwal 12. The counter-terrorism department registered an FIR of the seminary bomb attack against unidentified militants.

Meanwhile, political and religious leaders visited the seminary to condole the bombing deaths.

Jamaat-i-Islami chief Sirajul Haq along with senior party leaders met administrator of the seminary Sheikh Rahimuddin Haqqani and offered condolences.

He said Oct 27 was the blackest day in the country’s history as a religious centre and attached mosque were targeted in an Islamic country.

Mr Siraj said the intelligence agencies had alerted the government about the possibility of such a terrorist attack but the latter didn’t take it seriously and therefore, many lives were lost.

He likened the seminary bombing with the Army Public School Peshawar attack and criticised the government’s representatives over ‘failure’ to visit the seminary for condolences.

The JI leader said terrorism was rearing its ugly head.

He wondered how terrorists attacked people in their homes despite the presence of intelligence agencies and checkposts in large numbers and border fencing.

Mr Siraj announced that his party would demonstrate against the seminary bombing and France’s blasphemous cartoons on Friday.

Published in Dawn, October 29th, 2020

Opinion

Editorial

Kurram atrocity
Updated 22 Nov, 2024

Kurram atrocity

It would be a monumental mistake for the state to continue ignoring the violence in Kurram.
Persistent grip
22 Nov, 2024

Persistent grip

PAKISTAN has now registered 50 polio cases this year. We all saw it coming and yet there was nothing we could do to...
Green transport
22 Nov, 2024

Green transport

THE government has taken a commendable step by announcing a New Energy Vehicle policy aiming to ensure that by 2030,...
Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...