SWABI, Nov 12: Police have arrested 45 suspects in connection with recent blasts and other crimes in different parts of Swabi district and their interrogation is underway, sources said on Tuesday.

The district has witnessed some incidents of bomb blasts recently, targeting policemen and leaders of Awami National Party. An explosive device planted in a motorbike went off on Monday while four days ago an explosion had been reported from Dandoka region.

Similarly DSP, Swabi, had also been targeted with a bomb planted along Swabi-Jehangira road. A few days ago a schoolchild was kidnapped from Ismailia area.

The sources said that police had launched a search operation in the area of district headquarters and its surroundings to nab criminals, including militants involved in blasts.

“The operation is being monitored by district police officer Sajjad Khan,” said an official.

The sources said that majority of the arrested suspects were Afghans while some belonged to tribal region. They said that the some of the arrested persons belonged to Charsadda, Peshawar, Dir, Bajaur, Swat and Muzaffargar.

They said that the DPO also chaired a meeting of officials, including SP investigation, DSPs of four tehsils, investigation officers and station house officers, to discuss the latest situation. They said that Mr Khan told the police officers to take extraordinary security measures in the district. Besides, the DPO also advised the officials to ensure their own security.

The sources said that the officers, including SHOs, were told to present their proposals how the security could be improved in their respective jurisdiction.

The sources said that the traffic police officer told the meeting that they had imposed Rs1.3 million fine on transporters violating traffic rules during last one month. He said that traffic violations would not be tolerated.