SUKKUR: Sukkur police on Sunday claimed to have arrested two trained facilitators of the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and seized hand grenades, suicide jackets and other material from them.

Speaking at a press conference in his office, Sukkur SSP Amjad Shaikh said the police carried out an operation in the kutcha area of Bagarji and arrested two suspects, Abdul Jabbar Soomro and Ajmal Awan. Four hand grenades and material for preparing suicide jackets were seized from them, he added.

He said Abdul Jabbar was the prayer leader (Peshimam) of a mosque in Khanpur city of Shikarpur district. In 2004, he received training of terrorism from a TTP commander, Noor Khan, in the area of Miramshah, he added.

Later, Jabbar Soomro trained students of a seminary during the 2004-2007 period and also sent some of them to Miramshah for further training, the SSP said.

He said that in 2004, Abdul Jabbar Soomro provided assistance to Hakeem Brohi who was involved in attacking a provincial minister, Dr Mohammed Ibrahim Jatoi.

The SSP said Ajmal Awan, an associate of Soomro, had carried out a bomb attack on the canteen of the Punjab Regiment. The two suspects were also involved in several other acts of terrorism, he said.

Published in Dawn, May 30th, 2016