December 31, 2001	Monday	Shawwal 15, 1422

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KARACHI, Dec 30: Police raided the offices of Jihadi outfits in different parts of Karachi and took some people into custody on Sunday.

Police raided the office of Lashkar-i-Taiba in Gulshan-i- Iqbal and questioned some people present at the time, police sources said.

The DSP, Gulshan-i-Iqbal, Anwar Zeb Khan, told Dawn that no top leader of the Lashkar was found during the raid. Only watchman and caretaker were present, who were quizzed.

“The top leadership has gone into hiding since early this month,” he added.

The DSP also denied sealing the office premises.

Police also raided the office of Jaish-i-Mohammad, situated on the premises of Masjid-i-Badha, near Sakhi Hasan roundabout, the sources added.

Similarly, the office of Sipah-i-Sahaba Pakistan, located on the premises of Masjid Siddiq-i-Akbar, was also searched by the police. Several persons were taken into custody during the raid. The Police sources said at least five persons — Akram, Mohammad Husain, Tariq, Ahmed and Imran — were taken into custody.

However, SSP-Central Shaukat Ali denied making raids, saying that heavy contingents of police were deployed near Masjid-i-Badha, anticipating a public address by some Jaish leaders at the mosque. The office of Jaish-i-Mohammad is also located on the premises of the mosque, but we did not seal it, the SSP added.