ISLAMABAD, July 31: The interior ministry said on Tuesday that investigators had found important clues to two suicide blasts recently took place in Islamabad in which 33 people lost their lives.

“The investigators have concluded that there are striking similarities between the suicide attacks in F-8 Market and Aabpara Market,” Interior ministry spokesman Javed Iqbal Cheema said at a weekly press briefing.

The official said both the bombers had used low-grade high explosive weighing 5-6kg and in both cases similar electric triggering mechanism was used and ball bearings were embedded in the explosive as compared to pallet sheaths used in other suicide bombings.

Regarding Lal Masjid detainees, Cheema said that as of today 61 were in custody out of which 59 remained in judicial lockup including three women while the rest had been released after debriefing.

He said the government had arrested as many as 65 suspects for creating law and order situation during Juma prayers in Lal Masjid and suicide attack in Aabpara Market on Friday last.

The spokesman said 17 accused had been released while 48 others were on remand and those found involved would be prosecuted under the Anti-Terrorist Act.

JIRGA: The spokesman said the agenda had been finalised for the first meeting of Pakistan-Afghanistan Peace Jirga to be held on August 9 in Kabul.

He said the two sides would discuss strengthening of bilateral relations on the basis of good neighbourhood, respect for territorial integrity and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs.