Development in Jaranwala incident, both main accused arrested

Lahore: Caretaker Chief Minister Punjab Mohsin Naqvi has confirmed that the two main suspects of the Jaranwala incident have been arrested by the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD).

Turning to social media platform ‘X’, Mohsin Naqvi informed about the major development and said that both the main accused are now in the custody of CTD.

He appreciated the relentless efforts of Chief Secretary Punjab and Inspector General (IG) Punjab for timely action.

“Prime Minister's unwavering concern guided us, driving the swift arrest process,” added chief minister.

Mohsin Naqvi was grateful to caretaker prime minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar for the trust he placed in his team, fueling record-time arrests.

Major breakthrough in the Jaranwala Incident – both main accused now in CTD Custody.
Appreciation for Chief Secretary Punjab and IG Punjab for their relentless efforts. Prime Minister's unwavering concern guided us, driving the swift arrest process. Grateful for the trust he…

— Mohsin Naqvi (@MohsinnaqviC42) August 17, 2023

According to police, the arrested suspects were identified as Umir Saleem alias Raja and Umar Suleiman alias Roki.

Both the accused are brothers, Umir Saleem is a grade IV employee in a government institution while Umar Suleiman is a private employee.

According to the reports, the accused took out their simcards from the mobile and broke it immediately after the tragedy and fled from the city.

IG Punjab Dr. Usman Anwar

IG Punjab Dr. Usman Anwar said in his video message that the police detained the two main named accused within 24 hours, who are being investigated. Like all Muslims, we also cannot tolerate desecration of the Holy Quran or insolence in the honor of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).

He stated that the public's anger was justified after the incident, we are grateful to these scholars, who kept the people from provocation and peace was maintained in the entire Punjab.

“The miscreants set fire to churches, damaged holy places, destroyed their homes, put their lives in danger, this is also not acceptable in Islam. Allah the Almighty and the Holy Prophet have ordered that we must protect the minorities,” added Usman.

IG Punjab continued to say that our law also orders us to protect them. We will bring all those who did this to justice. With the help of artificial intelligence, we have started arresting them.

Dr. Usman further stated that we have arrested more than 125 people with the help of our human intelligence, video camera with computer and other methods which we will bring to the court of law.

The police officer said: “My message of peace is for tomorrow. Scholars must request a day of peace in the mosques and tell people how to protect minorities”.

He thanked the regional peace committee, leaders of all religions including Christians for establishing peace and said that above all we are grateful to the Islamic scholars who supported the Punjab Police by condemning the incident.

The IG Punjab further said that we will make the accused of the desecration of the Holy Prophet and the Holy Quran and the atrocities against the Christians to the status of infidels.

We promise the people that we will do this very soon because Allah is with us and will be our supporter and helper, he added.

Earlier, Mohsin Naqvi while chairing the meeting regarding the law and order situation said that the incident of Jaranwala is very sad, everything was done following a plan.

The Punjab Government will repair the damage within three to four days and restore the damaged properties to their original condition.

Mohsin Naqvi added that any conspiracy will fail, our religion and country do not allow such incidents.