RAWALPINDI, Dec 27: Three militants have been arrested by law enforcement agencies in connection with the terrorist attack on Parade Lane mosque in the garrison city on December 4, 2009. As many as 40 people were killed and 80 others injured in the terrorist attack, a senior official said.

The suspects, believed to be linked to a banned outfit, were captured from Mangla and Tarbila and are being investigated by the police, said Regional Police Officer Mukhtar Ahmed Gondal at a press conference here Monday.

“Three suspects have been arrested in connection with Parade Lane mosque attack and they are being investigated by the police.” However, the RPO withheld the identity details of the suspects.

He said the police had foiled an attempt to smuggle a large quantity of arms and arrested two persons in this connection. He said the seizure was made after the police signalled a car (LRR-4700) coming from Peshawar to stop near Chakri police post.

During search, the police recovered 70 pistols of 30 bore, 25 repeater guns and 25,000 rounds of 30-bore pistol. The accused identified as Rub Nawaz and Mohammad Amin belonged to Peshawar.

Answering a question regarding the ongoing investigation into the car racing event in Bahria Town which left five people dead on Dec 5, the RPO said 'red notices' for two of the accused, Ali Riaz and Atif Sheikh, had been sought and they would be arrested.

He said the two accused wanted by the police left the country after they were booked by the police.

The RPO, who is also holding the additional charge of CPO, said police were compiling the complete record of suspects arrested in connection with narcotics cases since 2003.

“60 per cent of the accused involved in drug related cases are always those who had been arrested and later bailed out,” the RPO said. He said the police were going to launch a crackdown against gambling dens, drug peddlers and corrupt police officials.