ISLAMABAD: The capital police have arrested two suspects allegedly affiliated with the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and recovered explosives, hand grenades and weapons from them.

According to the police, the suspects were planning to target sensitive installations and personalities. The police made the arrest and recovered weapons on a tip-off by an informer.

The police said a team of the Counter-Terrorism Department was present in Satra Meel area for surveillance when it got information that a suspect was present in Dongi Kasi with explosives and weapons and was planning terrorist activity in the capital.

The team then reached the spot as per the information and found two suspects sitting there, the police said, adding that the team members overpowered them and during search recovered a 9mm pistol, explosives weighing 490 grams, two detonators, safety fuse wire and two hand grenades.

The police’s Bomb Disposal Squad was also called at the spot which defused the grenades. The suspects and the explosives were then shifted to the Counter-Terrorism Department’s police station and a case registered against them.

During preliminary interrogation, the suspects disclosed that they were affiliated with the TTP and that they were planning to target important installations and personalities in the capital. The police said the suspects were being investigated to glean further information so that necessary measures could be taken and their accomplices identified.

Meanwhile, a suspect was injured allegedly by the firing of his accomplices during an encounter with the police.

The encounter took place in E-12 area, the police said on Monday.

According to the FIR, a patrolling team was present in the area for checking when they spotted a vehicle coming from Sikandarabad. The police signaled the car to stop, following which three persons disembarked from the vehicle and started firing at the police.

The police resorted to firing in the air in self defence after which the suspects ran towards a drain from where they continued firing at the police. It said the police found an injured suspect with a 30-bore pistol, who was then overpowered and shifted to a hospital for medical assistance. On searching the suspects’ vehicle, the police found a jammer, tools and bunch of keys.

Published in Dawn, October 17th, 2023