April 16, 2008	Wednesday	Rabi-us-Sani 9, 1429

SIALKOT, April 15: The intelligence agencies and district police have arrested two Taliban `terrorists’ from the city having strong links with Taliban in Afghanistan.

Speaking at a press conference here on Tuesday, district police officer (DPO) Capt Muhammad Ameen (retired) said that they had arrested Muaz Umer of Quetta and Asim Khan of North Nazimabad, Karachi from Sialkot city a few days ago when they were escaping after kidnapping a local Shia cleric, Zeeshan alias Shani Shah.

The masked Taliban were also brought before newsmen during the press conference.

The DPO claimed that the arrested Taliban had also confessed to their involvement in terrorism against Pakistan army in Wana and Hilmand.

To a question, Ameen said the accused were also involved in kidnapping of local Shia leaders across Pakistan and their killing after shifting them to Afghanistan from Pakistan.

The DPO said the accused had also planned sectarian violence in the Sialkot district.

“We have also unearthed a hideout of these terrorists at a madressah in outskirts of Sialkot.

The terrorists have confessed that the major reason for their activities is killing of innocent students in Lal Masjid operation. Further investigation is under way.”