December 17, 2003	Wednesday	Shawwal 22, 1424

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ISLAMABAD, Dec 16: The law-enforcement agencies on Monday night conducted two raids in Rawalpindi and arrested 10 people, including some Afghan nationals, the interior ministry said on Tuesday.

A press release said the raids were not connected to the Rawalpindi blast but it did not clarify under what charges the suspects were taken into custody, either. It said the suspects were involved in unlawful activities.

However, a source told Dawn that the suspects had links with the Taliban and they were arrested for their alleged involvement in the bomb blast that damaged a bridge near 10-Corps Headquarters minutes after President Pervez Musharraf’s motorcade crossed it on Sunday.

The law-enforcement agencies recovered arms from the possession of suspects who were being interrogated, it said.

Interior Secretary Tasneem Noorani refused to give more information except that a case had been registered against the suspects and further investigation was under way.

“I cannot add anything to what is mentioned in the press release,” he told Dawn when contacted.