KARACHI: Police on Saturday claimed to have arrested three suspected militants linked with the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan and seized mines from them, officials said.

Acting on a tip-off, the police signalled two suspects travelling in a Suzuki van to stop in a New Karachi locality.

However, the suspects sped up in their bid to flee. The police gave chase and arrested them, said Central SSP Irfan Ali Baloch.

The detained suspects were identified as Mohammed Sultan and Abdul Rehman, who were allegedly affiliated with the TTP.

Five mines, three rocket launchers and one pistol were seized from their possession.

The SSP said that they had received information that the suspects were carrying mines and rocket launchers from Balochistan to Karachi.

Further investigation was under way, added the officer.

The seized vehicle was snatched in Sharifabad.

Separately, police arrested one suspected militant, Syed Mohammed Usman, in Mauripur, said SSP SIU Tariq Razzaq Dharejo.

The police also seized two hand grenades from him.

The alleged militant was linked with the TTP.

He had provided explosive material to one militant of the TTP, Abdul Rehman, in 2013, which he had brought from Balochistan. However, Rehman was killed in an ‘encounter’ in 2015.

Further investigation was under way.

Four held for kidnapping woman

Police on Saturday claimed to have arrested four suspects who allegedly tried to kidnap a young woman in an ambulance of a charity organisation in Orangi Town, the Pakistan Bazaar police said.

Four suspects tried to kidnap the 25-year-old woman. However, her cries for help alerted the area people. In the meantime, a police party also arrived there and arrested four suspects identified as Zamir Ibrahim, Mohammed Faraz, Mehmood Alam and Mohammed Ibrahim, said Karachi West SSP Mohammed Younis Chandio.

Their fifth suspect managed to escape.

The SSP claimed that the suspects wanted to kidnap the woman in the ambulance belonging to the Khidmat-i-Khalq Foundation.

Initial investigation suggested that the kidnapping attempt was linked with some personal matter, said SHO Zahid Soomro.

The officer added that one suspect, Zamir, had political affiliation.

Published in Dawn, October 22nd, 2017