18 February 2004	Wednesday	26 Zilhaj 1424

KARACHI, Feb 17: Police on Tuesday announced the arrest of two leaders of the banned Lashkar-i-Jhangvi besides showing seizure of a huge cache of weapons and explosives.

Reports about arrests of five men, including Sajid alias Budha and Athar, belonging to the banned organization had appeared in a section of press almost a week ago.

This was stated in a press release distributed among journalist on Tuesday at the Anti-Violent Crimes Cell office after a press conference - scheduled to be addressed by the DIG (investigation) - was cancelled because of the DIG's absence.

The seized arms and explosives were, however, displayed at the AVCC office. SP of the AVCC Farooq Awan, while talking to this correspondent, said the police arrested Sajid and Mohammad Athar alias Khalid Memon in a raid at a house in Nazimabad No3 on Tuesday.

He said that Khalid Memon, chief of the banned organization's Sindh chapter, was regrouping the party activists after the death of Asif Ramzi, former Ameer of the banned organization. Asif Ramzi is believed to have died in an explosion in December 2002.

The press release stated that one Kalashnikov, nine pistols, six grenades, five silencers, several electronic circuits, detonators, time devices, a computer with floppy disks and CDs, printed material, including instructions for carrying out terrorist acts, were seized in the operation. All the seized material was displayed.

It stated that 200 kilogrammes of explosives, including bomb- making material like potassium, ammonium nitrate and petroleum jelly, was also recovered.

SP Awan said: "Both suspects are believed to be involved in sending parcel bombs to the offices of DIG (operations), home secretary and others in 2002." He said that the police had credible information suggesting that Khalid Memon's group had reorganized itself and was planning to commit terrorist acts in the Sindh metropolis in the days to come.