ISLAMABAD: The capital police chief on Wednesday contradicted the interior minister’s claim, which he made on Dec 27, 2022, that four to five terrorists involved in the I-10/4 bomb blast had been arrested.

In a press conference, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad Akbar Nasir Khan, while sitting besides Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, said the suicide bomber’s identity had been disclosed, however, details of the network involved in the blast could not be shared due to the ongoing investigation.

“The arrest of the network members is under consideration,” the IGP said, adding that “investigations are underway and you will be informed whenever any arrest is made”.

On Dec 27, a statement issued by the interior ministry stated that Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, in an interview with a private channel, had said that those involved in the suicide attack in Islamabad had been arrested.

The minister further said the suspects had stayed in Rawalpindi after coming from Kurram Agency, it added.

The minister also claimed the arrest of handlers and said four to five people had been rounded up.

The police chief further said two persons were arrested in connection with a video that went viral on social media in which they claimed that the TTP had reached the Parliament House.

Joint efforts of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Intelligence Bureau (IB) as well as the police of the twin cities led to the arrest of two persons, who are natives of Swabi and Peshawar.

A case was registered against them with the Counter-Terrorism Department Islamabad, IGP Khan said, adding that they were in police custody on a seven-day remand.

Their networks are visible on social media, and with the cooperation of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) efforts are being made to eliminate them, the IGP said, adding that the arrested persons were active on social media.

According to the FIR the arrests were made from Fatehjang Road following a tip from an informer.

They are active members of TTP and 500 grams of explosives, detonators and other items were recovered from them, it added.

Published in Dawn, January 5th, 2023