ISLAMABAD, Feb 20: The government on Tuesday claimed to have traced a network of terrorists allegedly involved in the killings of former MNA Maulana Azam Tariq, provincial minister Pir Binyamin and 41 other people in various incidents that took place in Punjab and Islamabad between 2003 and 2006.

“Two members of the network have been arrested by Islamabad Police’s CID department from Sector G-6/2 and efforts are being made to catch their six accomplices who are reported to be hiding in the capital,” a senior official of the interior ministry told Dawn.

The arrested accused were identified as Mudassar Ali alias Usman Chaudhry, of Tehsil Darya Khan Bhakar, and Mohammad Ali alias Abbas, of Pind Dadan Khan near Jhelum.

The official, however, said that investigators had so far not found any evidence to link the detainees with suicide bombings.

During the recent wave of terrorism in the country, six suicide attacks have taken place in different cities, including Islamabad, in which over two dozens people have been killed.

Senior Superintendent of Police Sikandar Hayat said at a press conference that the suspects would be produced before the court soon and police teams were trying to arrest their accomplices on the basis of information provided by them.

He claimed that the suspects had links with a banned religious outfit but declined to disclose its name.

The ministry official alleged that in October 2003, the accused had intercepted Maulana Azam Tariq’s car near Golra More Toll Plaza and opened fire, killing the Maulana, his three security guards and a driver.

The accused, according to him, confessed to have attacked supporters of Maulana Azam Tariq.