Punjab CTD arrests mastermind and facilitator of Johar Town blast from Balochistan

Lahore: The Counter Terrorism Department Punjab claimed on Thursday to have arrested Samiul Haq-- the mastermind of Johar Town Lahore blast -- and his facilitator Uzair Akbar  from Balochistan following an intelligence-based operation.

CTD DIG Afzaal Ahmad Kausar told a press conference that special teams participated in the operation.

Explaining the details of the incident, he said the CTD Lahore's operations and intelligence teams left for Balochistan on a special intelligence report and on April 24. Samiul Haq and Uzair Akbar were arrested at Kundi check post RCD High, Quetta Balochistan.

Iranian currency, Emirati dirham, Turkish lira, Afghani and Pakistani currency were recovered from the arrested terrorists while laptops and other electronic devices used by the terrorists were seized.

DIG Kausar said the accused Peter Paul David was arrested from the airport after tracing the number plate of the vehicle used in the blast from scene of the bomb blast on June 3rd last year.

The accused said that he met Samiul Haq alias Adnan who later turned into a friend and during this time Samiul Haq gave target of E-Block Johar Town blast. In this regard, Samiul Haq, Uzair Akbar and foreign elements called the executor of blast Eid Gul Khan to Dubai on a visit visa and held a meeting with him.

After one week, Eid Gul Khan came to Pakistan with briefing about the incident and huge amount of money. Shortly after, Samiul Haq gave David Peter Paul three mobiles and Rs.06 lac rupees and sent him towards Lahore, Pakistan.

Later, Samiul Haq and Uzair sent money to Peter Paul and Eid Gul through Western Union. The accused Ziaullah, Eid Gul, Ayesha and Sajjad were arrested on June 29, 2021 on the revelation of accused Peter Paul David while the search for the proclaimed offenders Samiul Haq, Uzair Akbar and Muhammad Naveed Akhtar Khan is underway.

DIG Kausar further said that the case was decided on 12-01-2022 in which four accused Eid Gul, Sajjad Hussain, Ziaullah, Peter Paul David were sentenced to death three times under crime 302B, three times death sentence under 7ATA and fine of  two lakh rupees, three times death penalty under crime 3 ESA, 10 years imprisonment and 50 thousand fine under crime PPC436, 7 years imprisonment and 01 lakh fine under crime 11N while accused Ayesha Eid Gul has been sentenced to 5 years imprisonment and 50 thousand rupees under  crime  (i) (1).

The main culprits of the incident have also been arrested during the special operation. DIG CTD Afzaal Ahmad Kausar further said that the terrorists were returning to Pakistan after crossing the border and local & foreign currency and laptops were recovered from their possession.

The DIG further said with the help of arrested terrorists, more roles are being reached out. He also did not rule out the possibility of involvement of foreign elements in the planning of the incident.

While the third fugitive accused Muhammad Naveed Akhtar Khan will be arrested soon. He further said that after the Karachi University incident, like other provinces, security in Punjab has been beefed up and made more high alert.

Similarly, security of all foreign nationals residing in the province has been increased.  Responding to questions from media persons, he said that investigation into the Anarkali bomb blast is underway and important developments would be reported in due course.

To a question, he said the CTD Punjab had nothing to do with the arrest of Baloch student from the Punjab University.

DIG Operations Punjab Kamran Adil and other CTD officers were also present on the occasion.