August 24, 2002	Saturday	Jamadi-us-Saani 14, 1423

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QUETTA, Aug 23: Police have arrested a member of the defunct Lashkar-i-Jhangvi in connection with sectarian attacks on government officials and a former provincial minister here.

The inspector-general of Balochistan police said at a press conference on Thursday that the Lashkar-i-Jhangvi, Punjab chapter, was involved in seven sectarian attacks that took place in Quetta in the last two-and-a-half years. At least three government officials were killed and four received bullet injuries in the attacks. “We have recovered from the house of the accused a Magarove pistol and a motorcycle, which was used in at least two attacks,” the IG said.

Police officials said Abid Naqvi, an SDO at communications and works department, was killed with the same weapon and it was also used in firing on Agriculture Engineering Director-General Syed Saddat Hussain Naqvi.

They said the accused Abdul Karim Kurd had informed the police during interrogation that orders of sectarian attacks were given by the high command of the banned organization. However, the accused said he did not know who issued the orders. “I think Usman Saifullah Kurd and Daud Badini know who is now issuing such orders,” Karim Kurd reportedly told the investigators about his accomplices.

The IG told reporters that Karim Kurd had disclosed that terrorists of the Lashkar got training in Afghanistan and arms and ammunition was also brought from the neighbouring country.

“I worked at the Lashkar-i-Jhangvi Afghanistan office and remained secretary of Riaz Basra when he was there,” Karim Kurd told police.

Officials said 12 suspects had been interrogated after the attack on National Database and Registration Authority Director-General Brig Bartar Hussain Naqvi. He said the accused had revealed that 12 members of the banned outfit, including himself, were involved in the sectarian killings.

They said Punjab police had been contacted and raids were being conducted in Balochistan to arrest accomplices of the accused.

APP ADDS: The other terrorists identified included Usman Saifullah, Dawood Badini, Saifullah Kurd and Noor Ahmed form Balochistan, Zahid, Younus, Faheem, Qasim, Noor Mohammed, Waseem alias Najamul Saqib (reportedly killed in Afghanis-tan) and Allah Ditta alias Sultan (reportedly killed in Vehari) from Punjab and Naseebullah from Afghanistan.

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