PESHAWAR, Feb 1: Local police captured a motorcycle laden with explosives in limits of Peshtakhara police station late on Tuesday. The rider, however, escaped benefiting from the darkness before the motorcycle seizure.

Senior superintendent of police, Peshawar, Tahir Ayub and superintendent of police, cantonment circle, Dr Mian Saeed Ahmad told a joint news conference here that the motorcyclist coming to Peshawar from Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency sped away after police signaled him to stop near the Achine Village Ring Road.

They said the rider, however, abandoned the motorcycle and fled after police chased him.

The SSP said the explosives seized included three kilogrammes explosive powder, three kilogrammes ball bearings and four mortar shells.

He said Peshawar police had beefed up security in the city, especially at sensitive areas bordering tribal areas, after Bara-based militant group, Lashkar-i-Islam, threatened them of attacks.

Mr Ayub said the motorcycle had a fake number plate but even then, police would continue searching for its owner.

He said a case had been registered against the escapee at the Peshtakhara police station. The SSP said Lashkar-i-Islam was probably involved in the recent terrorist activities in Peshawar.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for local police said the force had concentrated its attention on the arrest of proclaimed offenders and seizure of illegal weapons in the provincial capital.