PESHAWAR: Security forces on Friday arrested 60 suspected supporters of the militant Islamic State (IS) group from various areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The arrests were made on the basis of information from suspected supporters of IS who were earlier arrested from Punjab and Islamabad, said security agencies.

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Ten suspected supporters were arrested from Peshawar, five from Karak, four from Lakki Marwat, four from DI Khan and three from Kohat. Further arrests were made from Fata (Federally Administered Tribal Areas).

The arrested individuals were shifted to Islamabad for further investigation by security agencies.

Pakistani officials had earlier denied the existence of the group in the country, but have said they are on alert against its emergence. A number of extremist groups in the country have expressed their loyalty with the group which is trying to establish a foothold in Afghanistan.