Police and law-enforcement agencies arrested around 200 suspected terrorists in various search operations countrywide on Thursday. According to a private TV channel, security forces -- in collaboration with police -- arrested 152 suspects from Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Most of the men belong either to the Tribal Areas or are Afghan nationals.
Those arrested in Islamabad included an alleged suicide bomber -- who was wearing a suicide jacket when he was arrested, according to DSP Khan Khursheed Khan. The channel reported that another suicide bomber was also arrested in Islamabad. Also, the channel said one of those arrested in Islamabad was carrying "maps" of sensitive locations.
In Lahore, police arrested three foreigners from Sandha area. Iqbal Town SP Ali Rizvi said all three men were wanted for an attack on the Rescue-15 building in Lahore.
Meanwhile in Karachi, Sindh police arrested three suspected men -- including a Saudi citizen -- from Karachi's Hassan Square and another from Hyderabad.
Separately, Sindh CID claimed the arrest of a Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) operative, who is allegedly wanted in more than 100 high-profile terrorism cases.
In Charsadda, police and CID arrested six suspected extremists on Wednesday. All arrested men are said to be residents of Swat and Shangla. In Dir and Bajaur Agency, FC troops arrested at least 22 suspected terrorists, according to a statement by the paramilitary force, reported APP.