MIANWALI, Oct 18: Mianwali police have arrested three alleged terrorists belonging to the defunct Sipah-i-Sahaba Pakistan. DPO Zarat Kiyani said they were in possession of two hand-grenades, a pistol and bullets. He said they wanted to carry out a terrorist activity in Sheikhupura district.

He said the police followed a tip-off and picketed Mianwali-Sargodha road at Nagni Morr. During the search of a coach from Bannu, he said a bearded man whipped out a pistol and held the policemen at gunpoint. He was overpowered later. His two accomplices, who were on board the coach, were taken also into custody.

During investigation, they told the police that they wanted to strike a Shia gathering at the shrine of Darbar Khaki Shah, Chak 48, Dhalwan police station, Farooqabad, in Sheikhupura district. They said the caretaker of the shrine, Pir Mustahsan Husain Shah, was a blasphemer and they wanted to kill him as well.

They were identified as Noor Muhammad, Abdul Waheed and Rao Saifullah. The latter two were residents of Hafizabad.

The police also seized some CDs from them and said they were trained in Miranshah.