PESHAWAR: TNSM Chief Sufi Mohammed and other members of the group’s top leadership have been arrested in the Amandara region of Lower Dir, DawnNews quoted sources as saying.

The ISPR confirmed that Central Shura Member Maulana Said Wahab, Spokesman Ameer Izzat and Deputy Ameer Maulana Alam, had been arrested in the raid, according to DawnNews.

Sources say that security forces picked up the three top TNSM leaders from their headquarters in the Bilal Masjid on Mingora Batkhela Road, in the Amandara village of Malakand Agency on Thursday. Reports indicate that they have since been moved to another location.

There are also reports that Sufi Mohammed along with sons Rizwanullah and Ziaullah have also been arrested but sources could not confirm about their arrests.

However, the government so far refuses to confirm or deny the arrests, citing the need for absolute certainty before making their announcement, saying only that they know of Sufi Mohammed’s whereabouts.

A key TNSM leader, however, has confirmed that Sufi Muhammad is not present in Amndara for the last few days and perhaps has gone into hiding, according to DawnNews.