VEHARI, Oct 7: The local administration arrested at least 15 activists of the banned Tehrik-i-Jafria Pakistan (TJP) and the Sipah-i-Sahaba (SSP) from Mailsi after the Multan car bomb blast on Thursday morning.

The activists were arrested to maintain the law and order situation in the area, a source told Dawn. Most of them belonged to the rural area of Mailsi, specially Jallah Jeam town which is a stronghold of the SSP and Dokota town where TJP has strength.

The arrested men have been sent to undisclosed places, he added. Police and other law enforcement agencies personnel have been deployed at sensitive places to avoid any untoward incident.

When contacted, police denied the arrest of any activist. However, they said police raided the houses of 'wanted' SSP activists but they could not be arrested as they had gone to Multan to attend the death anniversary of Maulana Azam Tariq.