Punjab Timeline- 2014

Month/Date

Incidents

January 1

The authorities concerned decided to further enhance security for Musharraf as he could not appear before the Special Court after a kilogram of explosive material was recovered and defused near his Chak Shahzad farmhouse residence in Islamabad. Around 1600 police and Rangers personnel would provide security to him from his farmhouse resident to Special Court on January 2, 2013.

MWM and SIC opposed the proposed talks between the Government and TTP. SIC Chairman Sahibzada Hamid Raza, MWM Secretary for Political Affairs Syed Nasir Abbas Sherazi and Voice of Shuhada-e-Pakistan spokesperson Senator Faisal Raza Abidi expressed their opposition to the talks while addressing a joint press conference at the MWM office. The MWM and SIC central leadership claimed that they would not allow the Government to hold talks with the terrorists at the cost of the Constitution.

January 3

Two ASWJ cadres, including Secretary General Mufti Muneer Muavia and his colleague Qari Asad Mehmood were killed in an attack in Islamabad.

IHC directed the Government to provide a bulletproof car to former SC Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, saying even those who violated the Constitution were being given foolproof security. Justice Shoukat Siddiqui of the IHC issued the directive while hearing a plea filed by former Rawalpindi High Court Bar Association President Sheikh Ahsanuddin for providing security to justice Chaudhry.

The President of the MWM Rajanpur District, identified as Doctor Azhar Hussain (59), was shot dead by unidentified armed assailants in a sectarian attack at his residence in the District. Hussain was a doctor by profession.

A College Professor and a Shia religious leader, identified as Nazir Hussain Imrani, was shot at and critically injured by unidentified assailants in a targeted sectarian attack in Dhoke Kashmirian area of Rawalpindi District. Imrani was an imam of Qasr-e-Sajjad Imambargah in Iqbal Town and a Professor at Government Hashmat Ali College.

Four people were killed and 65 others were injured when Khushaal Khan Khattak Express passenger train carrying around 400 passengers derailed following a bomb explosion on its tracks in Omar Kot area of Rojhan sub-district in Rajanpur District. The train was en route to Karachi in Sindh from Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. BRA claimed responsibility for the attack. "We will continue to attack train tracks until the army operation in Balochistan is called off," BRA spokesperson Arbaz Khan said in a phone call from an unknown location.

Three persons were killed when unidentified assailants opened fire on a car carrying ASWJ leader at Noori Gate in Sargodha area of same District. According to Police, the incident occurred at Noori Gate in Sargodha when ASWJ Deputy Chief of Punjab chapter Maulana Abdul Hameed Khalid along with others was on his way from Bhakkar District to attend the hearing at an anti-terrorism court in Sargodha.

A TTP suicide bomber killed 13 persons, including eight soldiers and three children, and wounded 29 others in Royal Artillery Bazaar close to General Headquarters in Rawalpindi District. An Army statement said, "13 persons including eight security forces personnel, three schoolchildren and two civilians embraced shahadat while 29 were injured in this cowardly act of terror." TTP 'spokesman' Shahidullah Shahid claimed responsibility for the attack as payback for a deadly military raid on the Lal Masjid in Islamabad in 2007. "It was carried by one of our suicide bombers to take revenge for the Red Mosque massacre," he said, adding, "We will continue our struggle against the secular system."

Police arrested four suspected TTP militants during a raid in a house located in Tarnol area of Islamabad and seized a huge quantity of explosives from them. Police also seized more than 130 kilogram of explosives. The terrorists were shifted them to an undisclosed location for interrogation.

On the direction of military officials the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board decided to permanently close the RA Bazaar Road, where several military installations, including GHQ, National Logistics Cell (NLC), Canteen Stores Department (CSD) head office, Military Intelligence office and residences of military officers, are located, while security was also put on high alert in the twin cities.

In 2012 on the direction of military authorities RCB had closed this link road for public traffic but due to resistance it was compelled to take back its decision. RCB Cantonment Executive Officer Rana Manzoor Ahmad Khan said that due to the prevailing law and order situation and threat of terror attacks the road has been closed. He said public would not have to face any inconvenience as there are alternative roads for traffic.

SFs are also trying to ensure the safety of various installations in Islamabad, like the Diplomatic Enclave, Parliament House, and have sought the assistance of other Law Enforcement Agencies in this regard. SSP Islamabad Muhammad Rizwan directed all SPs, SDPOs and SHOs to ensure strict checking at all entry and exit points and keep a close watch on suspicious persons.

Two people, including an anti-polio lady health supervisor and her driver were injured when unidentified militants attacked the anti-polio team in Bahal area of Bhakkar District. According to the local Police, the unidentified assailants on motorcycles attacked the vehicle of an anti-polio team with sticks and iron rods. They shattered the windows of the vehicle and injured both of them.

The Sabzi Mandi Police claimed to have arrested two extortionists, identified as Asif Khan and Dost Muhammad, and recovered extorted money from them. A police team headed by Industrial Area SP Muhammad Hassan Iqbal arrested both of them for extorting money from traders. During interrogation, they revealed the whereabouts of their other accomplices. Police have obtained their physical remand from the court concerned and further investigation is underway.

A court in Rawalpindi sentenced a self-proclaimed prophet to death on January 23 after convicting him of blasphemy. Additional District and Sessions judge Naveed Iqbal also imposed a fine of PKR 1 million on Mohammad Asghar, a 65-year-old British national. Asghar was arrested in Sadiqabad in 2010 after he wrote letters to different people, including the SHO of Sadiqabad Police Station, claiming that he was a prophet. Police booked Asghar under section 295-C of the PPC.

The section reads: "Whoever by words, either spoken or written, or by visible representation or by any imputation, innuendo, or insinuation, directly or indirectly, defiles the sacred name of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, shall be punished with death or imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to fine."

Two suspected persons were shot dead by Kotwali CIA in an alleged encounter in the Shadbagh area of Lahore, the provincial capital of Punjab. The officials of Kotwali CIA had signalled two bike riders to stop at a picket set up in the Shadbagh area. Upon which, the bike riders reportedly tried to speed away from the scene firing shots on the Policemen who also retaliated in the same fashion and killed them. Police claimed that the deceased, identified as Gulfam and Shoaib, were involved in heinous crimes, including kidnapping for ransom and murder while Shoaib carried INR one million bounties.

The Rawalpindi Police claimed to have arrested 34 Afghan nationals under Section 14 of the Foreign Act during search operations, while 12 other suspects were also arrested. According to a Rawalpindi Police Spokesman, the search operations were conducted on the special directives of RPO, Akhtar Umar Hayat against Afghan nationals residing illegally in the city. The operations were conducted in different areas of the city under the supervision of Senior Superintendent Police (operations).

Shia leader and a member of the Jamia Ali Akbar Trust, identified as Ghulam Mustafa, was shot dead by unidentified militants near his house in the Khanpur area of Rahim Yar Khan District. He was accompanied by his friend Kafayatullah, who remained unharmed. The incident was followed by several protest rallies organised by members of the Shia community. Shia Ulema Council tehsil President Syed Sajjad Hussain Shah said the assault was a target killing and part of the Shia genocide in the country.

The administration of an oil refinery in Rawalpindi District of Punjab has received a threatening letter from terrorist outfit demanding USD five million as Bhatta, the intelligence agency sources said. The terrorists asked the administration of the oil refinery to pay the amount within three days otherwise the refinery would be blown up, the sources maintained.

Police officials in the Federal Capital Islamabad confirmed to have received a bailable arrest warrant for former President General (retired) Pervez Musharraf and said the warrant might be served on February 3. A Special Court constituted to try Musharraf for high treason had issued a warrant on January 31, 2014. The court had also ordered the Islamabad Police to submit a compliance report to the court on February 7, 2014. Since the start of the trial, Musharraf has not appeared before the court. The proceedings against him started in December 2013.

Inspector General of Islamabad Police Sikandar Hayat said that Police have received the bailable arrest warrant from the court. Hayat said a Police officer from the force will now serve the warrant to Musharraf. "He will be given two options: either to be arrested or to submit a surety bond for his bail," the Police Chief said. The bond set by the Special Court for Musharraf's pre-arrest bail is PKR 2.5 million.

A four-year-old boy was reported abducted from Samanabad area of Lahore District. Police said that the kidnappers have demanded PKR 500,000 from the family of the child. The father of the abducted boy Shakeel Siddiqui said that his son was playing in front of the house when he was kidnapped.

Five officials were injured when a suicide bomber blew himself up during a search operation jointly launched by Police and Intelligence Agencies in Khanewal District. Two of his accomplices were also arrested. According to reports, three alleged militants opened fire and hurled a hand grenade as law enforcers tried to stop a car. One of them traveling in the car blew himself up, injuring five officials.

BRA militant outfit bombed three main gas pipelines in Rahim Yar Khan District, killing a woman. "In a major terror hit, BLA blew up three major gas arteries late on Sunday night in Yousafabad area, which sparked so big a fire that it engulfed the populated area located nearby", officials said. Initial reports say remote-controlled devices were used in the explosions which destroyed three out of the four pipelines within 30 minutes. BRA claimed responsibility for the explosions.

According to sources, the pipelines, carrying highly inflammable methane also called natural gas, burst into a massive ball of fire after the blasts. "The blasts triggered an inferno that covered the nearby fields, while Basti Afzal Hamid Khumbara was evacuated immediately", the sources added. The rescue sources say a woman was killed in the blaze.

An anti-drone campaigner, Kareem Khan, from North Waziristan Agency of FATA, has "disappeared" from Rawalpindi District in Punjab on February 5, 2014, days before he was due to testify before European Parliaments, his lawyer Shahzad Akbar said, accusing the country's Intelligence Agencies of illegal kidnapping. Akbar said 15 to 20 men, some wearing police uniform and others in plain clothes, seized Khan, who is involved in legal proceedings against Pakistan over the deaths of his relatives. "We lodged a report with the local Police but they denied having picked him up. I checked with the central office of the Police and they have no such arrest in their record, it seems to be work of the intelligence agencies," Akbar said. "The men did not disclose their identities and no reason was given for the detention. Khan's wife and young children were present at the time, as was a neighbour," he added.

Kareem Khan's brother and teenage son were killed in a drone attack in December 2009.

The Police claimed to have foiled a major terror bid and arrested two suspected militants, identified as Daud Khan of Mardan District (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) and Hassan Khan alias Lehsan of Bajaur Agency (FATA) during a raid at a house in Ittefaq Colony in Tarnol area of Islamabad. The Police team also recovered explosives, detonators and detonating cord from them.

Pakistan anti-drone campaigner, Karim Khan, who had disappeared from Rawalpindi District on February 5, 2014 was rescued. Karim Khan whose brother and teenage son were killed in a December 2009 drone attack had disappeared days before he was due to testify before European parliamentarians.

Islamabad is under severe threat of terrorism from TTP, LeJ and al Qaeda, a report of the Interior Ministry presented in the Standing Committee of National Assembly on Interior revealed. According to the report, Islamabad is the most dangerous city as the "sleeper cell" of banned TTP, LeJ and al Qaeda are posing a grave threat to the security of the city. In Punjab, LeJ and TTP were the most dangerous groups and in Sindh, the presence of LeJ, al Qaeda militants and target killers was reported.

About the security situation in PoK, the Interior Ministry said certain evidences have 'proved' that India was involved in the deteriorating law and order situation in the region. It revealed that illegal weapons and terrorists were penetrating Pakistan through its western and eastern borders.

The BDS defused a ten-kilogramme bomb on a railway track near Kot Mithun in Rajanpur District. Reportedly the target of the attack was a Khushal Khan Khattak Express train that was due to pass over this track.

The CIA arrested two extortionists, identified as Mohammad Adil and Mohammad Zohaib, and obtained illegal weapons, several SIMs, cell phones from their possession in Lahore District. The two extortionists had faked their identity and allegedly posed as TTP militants demanding PKR 500,000 from Jahan Ali, a cashier at the Nobel Money Exchange Company, and had threatened to kill him in case he did not pay. Ali had complained to CCPO Chaudhry Shafique Ahmad, which had led to their arrest.

A senior CIA officer said that the extortionists had fired shots at Ali's house a few days ago and had threatened to kidnap and kill his children if he failed to pay them. This had forced Ali to relocate his family, the official said. The CIA traced the suspects using its cell phone tracking facility.

A man, identified as Sajawal, sustained injuries when an explosive device detonated outside the house of one Jahangir Khan, in the Ratta Amral area of Rawalpindi District. Ratta Amral Police SHO Chaudhry Zulfiaqar said that between 100 and 150 grams of explosives was used in the blast, which was later confirmed by the BDS.

Three BLA militants were arrested from the Rojhan sub-District of Rajanpur District. It was reported that the militants admitted to being involved in February 16, 2014 Khushal Khan Khattak Express blast in Jacobabad District of Sindh. Six kilogrammes of explosive material were also recovered from their possession.

Nine persons, including six Policemen and one ASI Muhammad Anwar Ali, were injured when an unidentified militant hurled a hand grenade at their van in Sanawan area of Kot Addu area in Muzaffargarh District. The injured also included, driver of the Police van, identified as Habib Akran, two constables, identified as Ashraf Ali and Zia Ullah, two unidentified Police volunteers, two suspected criminals and a rickshaw driver.

According to the details given by DPO Ghazi Salahuddin, a Police team from the Chobara Police Station in Layyah District had come to the rural area of Kot Addu to arrest a kidnapper Qayyum. He along with his accomplice was arrested and was being taken by the Police in their van when it came under attack.

Two Baloch marchers, 72-year-old Qadeer or "Mama" Baloch and one Farzana were threatened to return to Balochistan while they were returning to their place of stay in Islamabad. Unidentified men threatened and asked them to leave failing which they would face dire consequences.

At least 11 people, including Additional District and Sessions Judge Rafaqat Awan, a woman lawyer, and a Policeman, were killed and 25 others were injured when militants attacked the courthouse complex in Islamabad. According to details, the militants sprayed bullets at everyone, hurled hand grenades and later exploded their suicide vests. TTP 'spokesman' Shahidullah Shahid while distancing itself from the attack said, "We have already declared a ceasefire and we strictly adhere to our deal with the Government. Our colleagues in the organisation also cannot violate this agreement". He further suggested that some Mujahideen groups or agencies could be involved in the terrorist activity.

The 'spokesman' of Ahrar-ul-Hind (AH), a splinter group of TTP, Asad Mansoor claiming responsibility for the attack alleged that judicial system in the country was 'un-Islamic' and that they would continue their 'struggle' till enforcement of Sharia'h law. He further said, "We we are an independent group and have no links with TTP. We were a part of TTP earlier but now we operate independently".

An explosion occurred on a railway track near Maachi Goth area in Rahim Yar Khan District. However, no casualties were reported.

Police released sketches of two accused involved in the March 3, 2014 attack on the Court Complex in F-8 area of Islamabad. According to the details given by the Police, both the attackers, who are 18 to 22 years of age, had beard. One attacker had curly hair while another was wearing a cap, Police said.

A terror alert was issued in Rawalpindi District on March 4 after intelligence report warned that there was a possibility of a massive attack in the city within 48 hours. The sources said that the Intelligence Agencies have warned Law Enforcement Agencies against potential terrorist strikes in Rawalpindi in the next 48 hours. They further said that intelligence reports have stated that a terrorist group is expected to launch a massive terrorist attack at Rawalpindi within two days. It is feared that groups linked to defunct organisations have devised a plan to carry out terror strikes in parts of Rawalpindi after Islamabad.

The death toll in the terrorist attack on an Islamabad District court on March 3 rose after a survivor died from his injuries, bringing the death toll to 12. Chaudhry Maqsood Ahmed (50) was among 29 injured victims died at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences.

Federal Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan revealed that Additional Sessions Judge Rafaqat Ahmed Awan, who was believed to be killed by terrorists in the gun-and-suicide attack at the Islamabad District Courts premises on March 3, 2014, was accidentally hit by the bullets of his own guard. The guard himself confessed to the incident and witnesses also recorded their statement.

Talking about the Government's counterterrorism strategy, the Interior Minister said that specialised counterterrorism equipment worth USD 12 million is being imported from China. Similarly‚ 65 vehicles to defuse IEDs are being imported and 1,600 security cameras are also being installed in Islamabad.

The Model Town Police of Lahore and personnel of an intelligence agency arrested a terrorist from a house near Soay Aasil and seized explosives from his custody. Police raided a house in cooperation with the officials of intelligence and arrested the alleged terrorist, Sarfraz. Police seized six bags of detonators, 10 rolls of detonator wire and seven bags of TNT.

The Information Secretary of the ASWJ Rawalpindi Chapter, Mohammad Sohail Muavia, was killed and two of his companions, identified as Ammanullah and Nasir, were injured when unidentified militants opened fire at the car of Mufti Tanveer, Rawalpindi President of ASWJ, near Zia mosque in Sharkial area of Islamabad.

A woman, identified as Palwasha Khan, and claiming to be the mother of a suicide bomber who blew himself up during the attack on Islamabad District Court on March 3, 2014, revealed on March 10 that her son Fidaullah went missing on January 9, 2014, and was involved in the attack. A report was also lodged with the Iqbal Town Police Station in Lahore District about Fidaullah's disappearance. She further revealed that the mastermind of the court attack owned a restaurant.

Islamabad Police claimed to have arrested three Afghan nationals who were residing illegally in Islamabad. Police recovered parts of stolen bikes and weapons from their possession, a Police Spokesman said. Following orders from senior officials of the Islamabad Police, patrolling and security measures have been enhanced in the city.

The Federal Interior Ministry approved a new security plan for Islamabad, giving Rangers the responsibility for providing additional security. The plan, which calls for the Rangers and Police to conduct joint patrols, should be visible by April 15, 2014 said Federal Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan. Nisar ordered various reforms to implement the strategy, such as recruiting retired army veterans to join the Police and giving Police better training.

A Lahore High Court division bench headed by Justice Shahid Hameed Dar granted bail to Malik Ishaq, the leader of LeJ, in two cases where he is accused of delivering provocative speeches. The division bench granted the bail subject to furnishing two bail bonds of PKR 200,000 each. Ishaq's counsel said such FIRs were registered on applications of aggrieved parties, but in this case the Police registered FIRs on its own to victimise him over his religious views. He said Ishaq was detained in April 2013 under the Maintenance of Public Order and arrested in June under these FIRs. He asked the court to grant him bail.

Investigation Police Officer said that they had lodged two cases against Ishaq, who was accused on August 8, 2012 and February 2, 2013 for making provocative speeches at public gatherings. He added the petitioner had tried to spread hatred and to create unrest in the area.

Two dead bodies of ASI of Police who had been abducted on an unspecified date were found from two different areas of Sanda and Chow-Burji in Lahore District. According to Police sources, both the Policemen were associated with the Anti Car Lifting Cell (ACLC).

The driver of Express News anchor Raza Rumi was killed while he was injured in a targeted attack on his car near the Express News office in Raja Market of Lahore District. Soon after the incident Rumi said that although he had not received any direct threats, he was reportedly on the hit-list of some extremist groups. Eleven bullet casings were recovered from the crime scene, the CCPO said.

The Punjab Union of Journalists announced that it would hold a protest in front of the Punjab Assembly on March 29, 2014 (today). "We [journalists] will continue to speak the truth and not back down," Rumi said, adding "Politicians will not benefit from remaining quiet while journalists are muzzled…these bullets will target them tomorrow if they do not take notice today." He further said, "There will be no security or governance left in Pakistan."

The HuT has once again started its activities in Islamabad, with its cadres distributing pamphlets among the citizens asking them to support the outfit for the establishment of caliphate in the country. In one of its pamphlets written in Urdu, the HuT requested the people of Pakistan to ask their relatives serving in the armed forces to help the organisation achieve its mission so that the US "meets its doom in the region."

The PPP called upon the Punjab Government to take action against '150 sleeper cells' of the LeJ in the Province. Fawad Chaudhry, the media adviser of PPP Chairman, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the party had taken serious notice of a threatening letter sent by the LeJ to Bilawal Bhutto. Ali Sufian who claimed to be a 'spokesperson' of LeJ threatened in the letter that his group would kill the Bilawal for his hostile stance against militants.

Fawad Chaudhry said: "The LJ was involved in the attack on Bilawal Bhutto's security guards in Karachi and we believe that members of this group were hiding in Punjab." He further said that the presence of '150 sleeper cells' of LeJ had been disclosed by the Federal Ministry for Interior. Chaudhry accused the Provincial Government of being reluctant to take action against the LeJ and said that the PPP could not rely on the Punjab Government's security plan for Bilawal Bhutto during his visit to Lahore.

PPP Punjab's Information Secretary Raja Amer accused the Punjab Government of having close links with the LeJ and, therefore, not interested in acting against the banned group. He accused Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah of working as the mouthpiece of the LeJ.

Former President General (retired) Pervez Musharraf narrowly escaped an assassination attempt as a bomb exploded shortly before his convoy was due to pass. Musharraf was on his way to Chak Shahzad farmhouse in Islamabad from the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology, where he has been staying since January 2, 2014. "Four kilogrammes of explosive material planted in a pipeline under a bridge exploded around 20 minutes before the former President was supposed to cross the spot," said senior Police Official Liaqat Niazi.

Police seized a vehicle loaded with a huge cache of arms and ammunition, including 7 Kalashnikovs, 7 repeaters, 17 pistols and thousands of bullets, from Naseerabad area in Rawalpindi District.

A local court in Toba Tek Singh District sentenced a Christian couple, identified as Shafqat Maseeh and Shagufta Maseeh, to death for blasphemy and fined them PKR 100,000 each. According to details, the Maseeh's were arrested on July 25, 2013, under Section 295C on the charge of sending blasphemous text messages to the complainants, shopkeeper Malik Mohammad Hussain and Gojra tehsil bar's former President Anwar Mansoor Goraya. The couple confessed to have sent the messages.

A directive by the Punjab Government issued on March 31, 2014, to enhance security for minorities' places of worship has resulted in SHOs passing the responsibility by issuing a long list of measures to be taken by the administrations of temples and churches. After a recent directive issued by the Home Department for the security of minorities' places of worship, Christian and Hindu worshippers complained that no steps had been taken on ground.

According to a notice issued by various SHOs to temples and churches of Rawalpindi District, the administrations have been asked to take nine steps for their protection. These include, the installation of CCTV cameras, storing one month's footage, securing the place with barbed wire, eight-foot high boundary walls, setting up a police post on the roof, proper lighting and hiring security guards from a registered company which is verified by the Police. Entry gates and barriers should be installed as well. Also, the Police should be informed before the start of a ceremony so that they can make security arrangements.

In 2010, we received the same notice and we informed the Police as well as EPTB officials, but the latter paid no heed despite repeated requests and visits, he added. "We are in the habit of lamenting after a tragedy occurs but who cares." One Ashok Chand asked, "We cannot even arrange sufficient funds for religious ceremonies, how can we set aside such a huge sum to implement these steps?

The Lahore High Court Rawalpindi bench ordered Punjab IG of Police Khan Baig to submit a report on the whereabouts of Khan Badshah, a missing person and resident of Waziristan, by April 23, 2014. When the hearing started in the court of Justice Ibadur Rahman, petitioner's counsel Sardar Taufiq Asif expressed dissatisfaction over the failure of the spymasters to appear in person and brought the issue to the court's notice. "Every time, assurances are given, but no developments have been made for the last year," he informed the court.

Deputy Attorney General Tariq Khokhar replied that a commission is already working on missing persons' case. The court, however, questioned the status of the commission and asked under which law the commission was set up and to what extent it can implement its decisions. "The commission's job is to give recommendations," the court said. The court also asked the Punjab IG about progress made in the investigation. The IG informed the court that a team led by a superintendent and under the supervision of the Rawalpindi city police officer is investigating.

At least 23 people were killed and many others were injured in a bomb explosion at Pir Wadhai area near Sabzi Mandi locality in Islamabad. Police said that the explosives were planted in a guava box, which at the time of auction exploded, killing and injuring many people. The guava boxes were brought from market places in Punjab, including, Burewala city in Vehari District and Arifwala tehsil in Pakpattan District.

TTP 'spokesperson' Shahidullah Shahid condemned the blast and said that it was haram and illegal to attack innocent people in public places. Later, Police arrested a suspect from the location of the blast. Earlier, on April 3, secret agencies had alerted the Police that militants opposed to the Government-TTP peace talks are planning terrorist activities in Islamabad, Peshawar and Quetta. The ceasefire will end on April 10, 2014.

At least 17 people were injured in an IED blast targeting a shop located in a market in Pakistan Chowk area of Lahore District. The shop that was attacked provides home appliances and other goods on installments. The shop's owner later revealed that he had been receiving threats for not paying extortion money.

CCPO Lahore said that it is premature to say anything and they are investigating the matter. The BDS said that the blast was caused by the detonation of an IED that contained between 200-400 grams of explosives.

CCPO Chaudhry Shafiq on April 18 said that Police have arrested six LeJ suspects, including the mastermind behind the March 28, 2014, attack on Express News anchorperson Raza Rumirom Lahore District, the provincial capital of Punjab. According to details, the mastermind of Express News attack, identified as Abdul Rauf Gujar, belongs to LeJ and was a resident of Badami Bagh area of Lahore. Shafiq said that the six suspects were involved in assassination attempts on various political and religious persons, adding that they were also involved terrorism, kidnapping and dealing drugs.

The Police statement said, "These cruel criminals are involved in these heinous crimes by pretending to be a religious group, including crimes like murder, attempted murder, kidnapping-for-ransom, illegal armament and drugs,". The statement further said that "Gujar, who is the main hitman in the killings, came to this direction through LeJ leader Malik Ishaq".

Punjab CM Shahbaz Sharif has earmarked funds for modern resources, such as forensic laboratories, in the province, which prove the government's commitment to dealing with terrorists. The Punjab government has detained and prosecuted about 700 militants involved in sectarian violence over the last six months. In 2013, law-enforcement agencies in the province registered nearly 3,500 cases on charges of misusing loud speakers, delivering hate speeches, disseminating incendiary material and trying to cause divisions among different segments of society.

The information was released by the DGPR Punjab in response to a story carried in Dawn, calling attention to the presence of proscribed organizations' sleeper cells in and around Lahore and the provincial Government's lukewarm response to these developments. Referring to the arrest of a group of militants involved in high-profile attacks, including last month's attempt to assassinate TV anchor Raza Rumi, the statement claimed, "All terrorists involved in high-profile sectarian attacks committed in Punjab have been arrested, including sectarian target killers in Lahore." "Sectarian attacks reported in cities such as Chakwal, Bhakkar, Rawalpindi and Faisalabad were successfully investigated and the perpetrators arrested over the course of the past few months. "By keeping these terrorists off the street, incidents of sectarian (violence) in Punjab have also been significantly reduced," it said.

DGPR Punjab informed that the Punjab Government has detained and prosecuted about 700 militants involved in sectarian violence over the last six months. In 2013, Law-Enforcement Agencies in the Province registered nearly 3,500 cases on charges of misusing loud speakers, delivering hate speeches, disseminating incendiary material and trying to cause divisions among different segments of society.

The DGPR statement claimed, "All terrorists involved in high-profile sectarian attacks committed in Punjab have been arrested, including sectarian target killers in Lahore." It further stated, "Sectarian attacks reported in cities such as Chakwal, Bhakkar, Rawalpindi and Faisalabad were successfully investigated and the perpetrators arrested over the course of the past few months. By keeping these terrorists off the street, incidents of sectarian (violence) in Punjab have also been significantly reduced."

An unnamed senior official of the Punjab Police said that tracking down and arresting the proclaimed offenders involved in sectarian crimes was primarily the job of DPOs. "In almost every meeting on the state of law and order in the Province chaired by the Punjab Inspector General the arrest of those wanted for sectarian violence topped the agenda," he said. However, because of religious sensitivities around these incidents and the attackers' links to various religious organisations, Police always encounter resistance when pursuing such criminals. There is a need to proceed with caution in all such cases because these people have sympathisers among powerful politicians, which also affects the ability of the Police to do its job, he added.

Several protestors were injured when Police resorted to baton-charge and tear gassing of demonstrators protesting over the missing persons issue at D-Chowk in Islamabad. The protesters were attempting to approach the Parliament house in Islamabad's Red Zone area. Police resorted to baton-charging and aerial firing and also fired tear gas canisters to disperse the demonstrators as a result of which several persons fell unconscious. The resultant clash also left six Police personnel, including two women and four men, wounded.

Human Rights activist and campaigner on the missing persons issue, Amna Masood Janjua, was also arrested by Police. Police tried to confiscate the cameras and other equipment of media teams trying to cover the incident. Television channels aired footage of several journalists who were wounded and had their equipment damaged due to the use of force by security personnel.

Taking notice of the incident, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ordered the authorities concerned to release the detained protesters at the earliest. He said protesting peacefully was every citizen's fundamental right which cannot be taken away from them. He also ordered the authorities to look into the incident and punish the culprits of manhandling rights activists and journalists with an iron hand.

According to officials in the Police, the recent grouping within the TTP may help the Government and SFs to deal with the militants but it has created more trouble for businessmen in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The sources said that the businessmen had paid extortions to the TTP but a few days later they again received calls for payment of more money. The second calls, they added, came even though middlemen of the militants had given assurances that the businessmen would not be threatened.

The officials said the TTP groups worked under Shehryar Mehsud and Khan Said alias Sajna. The differences among them cropped up in the run-up to the selection of the successor to Hakimullah Mehsud who was killed in a US drone attack in 2013. An official of the capital Police said that now the TTP groups were separately approaching businessmen to pay them extortion.

A few days back the owner of a food outlet in the city received a telephone call demanding extortion equal to the amount he had already paid, he added. The businessman told the Police that he approached the middleman operating from the capital city as he had assured him that no one would harm him after he made the payment. However, when the businessman told the middleman about the call after the payment of extortion, the latter sought time to probe the matter.

A businessman, identified as Rashid Wasim, received threatening calls from extortionists asking him to pay PKR 40 million in Mohanpura area of Rawalpindi District. Wasim owns a factory in the industrial area of Islamabad and complained to the Ganjmandi Police that since March 19, 2014, his family has received three calls by TTP militants. The complaint said the caller threatened him that his family members would be kidnapped and killed if he failed to pay the money. Wasim claimed that the threatening calls were made from Waziristan.

Rawalpindi Police busted a gang of criminals and arrested four members of the gang getting extortion from top businessmen of the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad impersonating themselves as leaders of TTP. RPO Akhtar Umar Hayat Lalika said that the gangsters used to make telephone calls to businessmen after conducting detailed recce and pressurized them to provide them extortion, threatening that they were TTP leaders and would kill or kidnap their children if they failed to fulfill the demands.

A businessman, identified as Haji Naeem, was arrested from Rawalpindi District on the charge of helping a group of TTP militants in extorting money from traders and other wealthy people in the city. RPO Omer Akhtar Hayat Laleka said that Naeem, a hosiery trader and a resident of Mohanpura locality, had also staged a kidnapping-for-ransom drama a couple of days ago. The RPO said after the police tracked down the suspect, he confessed to working as an informer for the TTP. "He used to provide the TTP group in Waziristan mobile phone numbers of wealthy people and businessmen. Later, the group members would call victims to extort money from them," RPO Laleka said.

Human Rights Advocate Rashid Rehman Khan was shot dead and his two lawyer friends, identified as Nadeem Parwaz and Afzal, were injured by unidentified militants inside his office at Kachehri Chowk in Multan District. Advocate Khan was a coordinator for the HRCP. He was defending a Bahauddin Zakariya University lecturer Junaid Hafeez, accused of blasphemy and had complained that he had been receiving threats on his life.

At least 19 people, including a child, were injured bomb in a motorcycle bomb near a restaurant on the College Road in Rawalpindi District. However, no loss of life was reported.

TTP hacked the website of Rawalpindi Police. The website was defaced by a group that calls itself the 'Anti-Mortadin'. In their message, the group claimed that the hacking was a 'victory for the Taliban.' When contacted, City Police Officer Humayun Bashir Tarar confirmed that their website had been hacked. However, he claimed that there was no sensitive information on the site.

LEAs claimed to have arrested a doctor from Bhimbher Road near Qadir Colony in Gujrat District on the suspicion of having links with the recently captured militants belonging to a network of the outlawed outfits. The LEAs had picked up a doctor who practices at his private clinic along on the basis of clues given by other arrested suspects. The law enforcers are quizzing the arrested men who had been found involved in targeted killings during the last six months of 2013.

A teenager shot dead an Ahmadi man, identified as Khalil Ahmad, over blasphemy inside Sharaqpur Police Station in Sharaqpur tehsil (revenue unit) of Sheikhupura District. According to details given by Saleem ud Din, the spokesman of Ahmadi community, the victim, Khalil Ahmad, and three others had asked a shopkeeper in their village to remove inflammatory stickers denouncing their community. In retaliation, the shopkeeper filed blasphemy charges against the four men on May 12, 2014. Ahmad was in Police custody when the teenage boy walked in, asked to see him, and shot him dead. "They told us the person who shot Khalil is just a boy," Saleem ud Din said, adding, "The hate campaign carried out against us is going on and on and on."

Police claimed to have busted a network of terrorists-cum-target killers associated with the TTP and LeJ from Lahore District. The Police arrested eight terrorists and seized a huge quantity of explosives, suicide jackets, laptops and illegal weapons from their possession.

CCPO Chaudhry Shafique said that a 'terror plot' had been averted as eight arrested suspects had planned to kill religious and important personalities, senior journalists, doctors, lawyers and senior Police Officers, and that they had completed surveillance of around 39 targets besides some important buildings and international companies' offices. The suspects used to contact each other through e-mails and had been using several internet cafes of the city for communication. They also used to contact their accomplices in Afghanistan through the net.

The Khushal Khan Khattak Express escaped a blast that blew up the railway track in Rojhan Mazari Tehsil of Rajanpur District. No outfit claimed responsibility for the attack.

A unit in-charge of ASWJ, identified as Nasir Abbasi, was killed while another person, identified as Ishtiaq, was injured when unidentified militants opened fire on them in Shamsabad area of Rawalpindi District. Police said Abbasi and Ishtiaq were going home on a motorcycle after attending a seminar organised by ASWJ Rawalpindi Chapter at Sangam Marriage Hall.

May 26

Unidentified militants shot dead a US-based Ahmadi doctor, identified as Mehdi Ali (50), outside the Ahmadi graveyard in Chenab Nagar (also known as Rabwah) city of Chiniot District of Punjab.

May 29

Rawalpindi ATC acquitted LeJ 'chief' Malik Ishaq in three cases relating to terrorism. Judge Rana Masood Akhtar issued acquittal orders for Ishaq in the cases, saying the evidence against Ishaq was not sufficient for further proceedings. The case had been registered against Ishaq at Police Stations in Hazro town of Attock District and Talagang town of Chakwal District in Punjab and he was also previously arrested over charges relating hate-speech and inciting violence.

May 30

At least 10-12 unidentified militants, carrying Kalashnikovs, and pistols, set a van carrying the copies of The News to Islamabad on fire after creating panic among the people at Committee Chowk in Rawalpindi. The people who witnessed the scene confirmed that the assailants were carrying lethal weapons and acted as professional fighters. "Their delivery was not like normal citizens or agitators but they seemed trained people," the witnesses said.

May 31

Unidentified militants abducted PML-N MPA Rana Jameel Hasan from near Pindi Bhattian city in Hafizabad District. Hasan had gone there to attend a funeral and he was kidnapped along with his wife, who was later ped at a petrol pump, at gunpoint. The kidnapping took place on Friday around 10:30pm. According to sources, the kidnappers have demanded PKR 50 million from the MPA's wife.

The Police arrested 10 militants from various areas of Islamabad city (Islamabad District), the National capital city of Pakistan and recovered weapons from their possession.

Five persons, including two Pakistan Army Officers, were killed and two soldiers sustained injuries when a suicide bomber targeted an Army vehicle at the Qutbal railway crossing near Fatehjang, some 28 kilometers from Tarnol, in Rawalpindi District of Punjab. Director General of ISPR, Major General Asim Saleem Bajwa in a message said two military officers, Colonel Zahir Shah and Colonel Arshad and three civilians were killed when a suicide bomber hit their twin cabin vehicle. The Army officers were killed on the spot, while a driver and gunman were critically injured. A rickshaw driver identified as Mohammad Aslam and two unidentified passengers were also killed on the spot. The TTP has claimed responsibility for the suicide attack. The TTP 'spokesman' Shahidullah Shahid said the attack was the reaction to the killing of imprisoned TTP militants. He said a week before, seven TTP cadres were killed in Karachi.

At least 52 persons were injured in an IED explosion during Urs (the annual religious congregation at the shrine) celebrations at Darbar Nangay Shah Pir Badshah in Pind Parian area in the jurisdiction of Shahzad Town Police Station of Islamabad, the federal capital. According to BDS the IED was planted underneath the internal wall of the tomb.

The teams of Pakistan Rangers and the Islamabad Police conducted a joint search operation in the Tarnol area of National capital, Islamabad and arrested 51 suspected persons, including 22 Afghan nationals.

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan directed Police and security agencies to gear up their resources to fully secure twin cities Rawalpindi-Islamabad and its residents in wake of the Zarb-i-Azb operation against militants in North Waziristan. The Minister said this while chairing a meeting to review the security situation of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

Four persons were injured when motorcycle bourne unidentified assailants threw a grenade at a Police picket in the Sadiqabad area of Rawalpindi town of Rawalpindi District in Punjab. Four injured persons were identified as Atiq (21), Nabeel (22), Nasir (27) and Ajab (65). The injured were reported to be in stable condition. The attackers however, managed to escape from the scene.

Police arrested two persons while stopping a truck on a check post at Lahore's entry point in Shahdara Town. When searched, at least 40 bags of explosive material were recovered from the vehicle. Police arrested truck driver and cleaner belonging to northern areas of Pakistan.

Police arrested 12 terrorists from an un-disclosed location while they were entering Punjab from Attock city near Peshawar through a van. Police said the terrorist, hailing from KP, were entering Punjab with a major terror plot. Police recovered suicide vests, bomb-making material, automatic weapons and huge quantity of explosives from the terrorists.

The Intelligence agencies have warned of a potential terrorist attack in Islamabad during the holy month of Ramazan. According to the report, around 10 to 12 terrorists have entered the capital city, which can carry out terrorism activities and bomb attacks in the twin cities. Strict security arrangements have been made by the Police on the entrance points while search operations have been started in villages of Tarnol, Doray Village, Sara-e-Harboza, Ittefaq Colony and several surrounding areas.

At least two militants, identified as Saim Ali and Fahim, belonged to Al Qaeda linked Ahmed Farooq group, were killed in a "shootout" between a Police party and the suspected militants in the Alipur town of Muzaffargarh District.

A suspected militant, identified as Saudullah (40), was arrested from a private airline landing at the Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore, the provincial capital of Punjab.

A session court of Punjab handed down the death sentence and imposed a fine of PKR 100,000 on a blasphemy accused after charges were proved against him. The accused, Zulfikar, was arrested while writing blasphemous remarks on the walls of Afghan Park in Lahore's Islampura area in 2008.

SFs arrested more than 500 suspected terrorists belonging to banned outfits from across the country, including the Federal capital Islamabad. An official of the Federal Ministry of Interior said the detainees would be treated under the newly introduced PPA 2014. The arrests have been made against the backdrop of the ongoing military operation Zarb-e-Azb in NWA to curb the likely backlash from the militants.

At least seven suspected militants were killed and one trooper was killed and five others were injured in an armed clash between SFs and suspected militants during a search operation in a compound situated in Raiwind Road area of Lahore city (Lahore District).

Unidentified assailants shot dead two cadres of ASWJ, the frontal organisation of SSP, identified as Raja Saifullah and Mohammad Aslam, on Chakri Road in Rawalpindi city (in Rawalpindi District) of Punjab. The attackers however managed to escape.

The Police foiled a terror bid after arresting militants with an explosive-laden vehicle in Rawalpindi city of Rawalpindi District. Rawalpindi Police Spokesperson informed that the Police was on high alert and special checking of the vehicles is underway on all the entry and exit points of the city.

A farmer was killed and four others were injured when a mortar shell exploded at Sarwani Banglow village near Rangpur town in Khushab District of Punjab. Five farmers - Qasim Chandio, Muhammad Akram, Iqbal, Ramzan and Muhammad Qasim - were working in the field when they recovered a mortar shell from the depth of earth.

The security of the Federal Capital Islamabad will be handed over to the Army, Federal Minister of Interior Chaudhry Nisar said. The Army will take control of Islamabad's security from August 1 for three months under Article 245 which states that the Army can be called in to assist civilian administration in heightening security arrangements.

An angry mob killed two young girls and a woman when they set fire to a number of Ahmadi homes in Arafat Colony of Gujranwala District. The mob set fire to the homes after hearing accusations that an Ahmadi youth had posted a blasphemous picture on Facebook. Later, Police on July 28 registered a case under the Anti-Terrorism Act against 550 people for the attack. The case was registered on the application of Munir Ahmad, who belonged to a non-Muslim minority community.

Four companies of Pakistan Rangers (Punjab) were deployed at vital security points of the city after the Provincial Government requisitioned it to cope with law and order situation in the provincial capital Lahore. A Police source said that up to four companies comprising 160 personnel took their positions at sensitive government buildings and establishments. He said the Rangers had been put at the disposal of Lahore Police for future line of action.

Section 144 of the CrPC has been imposed in Islamabad over 'security concerns' ahead of planned rallies by the Chiefs of the PTI and PAT in the capital A notification in this regard has been issued by the Deputy Commissioner Islamabad. Section 144 bans a gathering of more than four people at one place for rallies and protests and also bans carrying weapons.

The Sabzi Mandi Police arrested 15 suspects during a raid on Eastern Oil Company located in Islamabad and recovered arms and explosives, including 10 pistols, four guns, three triple-two rifles, explosives, and thousands of bullets, from their possession.

Three protesters were killed and around 534 others injured as violent clashes between PTI and PAT activists and personnel of the law-enforcement agencies continued in the 'Red Zone' of Islamabad, the National capital, till the evening. Around 249 injured persons, including 36 women and five children, were brought to PIMS, while Polyclinic received over 275 injured persons, including 51 women, 11 children and 54 Policemen.

Rioters of the PAT and PTI got hold of the state buildings, including the Parliament House, PM's House, Pakistan Secretariat and state-run PTV News with PTV headquarters by gate crashing in Islamabad. The rioters staged a sit-in in front of the PM House in the presence of SFs after multiple clashes between the violent aggressors and the Police.

The building of Geo News once again came under attack from activists of the PAT and PTI when the staffs of Geo, Jang and The News were busy in their work in Islamabad, federal capital of Pakistan.

A head of a Seminary, identified as Maulvi Sadiq Khan (65), was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Sandal Bar Police Limits of Faisalabad city (Faisalabad District).

The District administration slapped Section 144 in Islamabad, the federal capital and banned pillion riding for seven days after Intelligence Agencies reported that the PTI and PAT sit-ins in the Red Zone face a serious terror threat. Highly-placed sources said that Intelligence Agencies had informed the Federal Ministry of Interior that five to six Khyber Agency-based militants were attending the twin sit-ins and were looking for an opportunity to strike.

Teams comprising the Islamabad Police and paramilitary forces launched a campaign to arrest pillion riders. Sources in the district administration disclosed that the ban was imposed to arrest the violent activists of PAT and PTI. They said the bike riding activists would be arrested within a week and their bikes impounded.

A Police Sub Inspector, identified as Tariq Mehmood, was killed by unidentified assailants in the Batapur Police Limits in Lahore.

The deputy caretaker of Taleem-ul-Quran seminary, identified as Mufti Amanullah (34), was shot dead while his student, identified as Mehmood (18), sustained injuries in a targeted attack near the high security Qasim aviation base on Dhamyal Road in Rawalpindi District. RPO Akhtar Umar Hayat Laleka said it was a targeted killing. Some protesters also set on fire an imambargah (Shia place of commemoration) in the old tyre market near the Taleem-ul-Quran Madrasa in Raja Bazaar area of the District.

The dead body of a man, identified as Amir Ahmed alias Samandar Khan, was found from the rooftop of the Imambargah. However, his association with the Imambargah could not be ascertained. According to the details, Khan operated was owned a tandoor shop in the vicinity of the Imambargah.

A Policeman shot at two prisoners in Adial Jail of Rawalpindi District, killing Christian pastor Zafar Bhatti, who was accused of blasphemy and wounding Briton Muhammad Asghar (70), who is condemned to death on the same charge. Zafar Bhatti later succumbed to his injuries. Bhatti, worked to protect the human rights of the country's Christian minority, and was on trial after he was accused in 2012 of sending blasphemous text messages.

Punjab Rangers announced the arrest of a suspected terrorist, identified as Taj Ali, near Chesham Barrage in Lahore District and recovered a large cache of weapons and ammunition. Ali hails from Bannu District of KP.

Three people were injured when a polio team was attacked in Gujranwala District.

Unidentified assailants gunned down a local journalist, Yaqoob Shahzad, while he was sitting in a showroom in Hafizabad District of Punjab Province.

The Punjab Government banned the entry of 158 religious leaders, including 62 from the Deoband school of thought, 65 from Shia community and 31 from the Barelvi sect, in the Rawalpindi Division belonging to the Districts of Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal and Jhelum during Muharram. Besides, gagging orders have also been issued against 76 clerics to avoid sectarian violence. The Government had received reports from the Special Branch that these clerics would disturb peace and harmony in the Rawalpindi Division.

Federal Government directed Provincial Governments to make adequate security measures to prevent any untoward incident during Muharram and also sought army's assistance to maintain law and order.

Islamabad Police decided to ensure elaborated security arrangements on the eve of Muharram and a total of 5,000 security personnel would be deputed to guard various gatherings in the city. According to details, Islamabad Police has finalized comprehensive security arrangements for the processions and religious gatherings during Muharram and have decided to launch combing as well as search operations in various slum areas of the city including Afghan habitats, to ensure foolproof security.

Foolproof security arrangements were finalised to cope with any untoward incident in the Provincial Capital Lahore during the month of Muharram. Lahore Capital City Police Officer Muhammad Ameen Vance said that a modern network of close circuit TV had been installed at all important routes of the Zuljinah (horse procession) besides walk-through gates at all processions and Majalis (gathering). He said video would also be made during the main procession passing through different areas.

SFs arrested four suspected militants during a raid from undisclosed location of Lahore, the provincial capital of Punjab. The detained militants are members of a banned outfit and planned to attack Muharram processions.

Lahore District Police have appointed 1,751 Policemen for the security during Muharram. All Police Stations would be responsible for the security of the processions to be taken out in their respective areas. 251 Policemen would perform duty with 11 processions while 1,600 Policemen would perform duty on the routes of the processions and at Majalis of 4th Muharram. As many as seven processions fall in Category ‘A’ and four in Category ‘B’, the Police sources added.

Four Imambargah (Shia place of worship) have been declared sensitive in the Gujranwala District of Punjab. They include Imambargah Gulistan Market, Imambargah Sajjad and Imambargah Rasoolnagar. The security of the four Imambargahs has been further beefed up to avoid any untoward incident.

The Government extended Section 144 imposed in Rawalpindi District for two more days with immediate effect due to security concerns and terrorism threats in the District. According to DCO Rawalpindi Sajid Zafar Daal, Section 144 has been imposed in the entire District for the next 48 hours during which pillion riding will also remain banned. Gathering of more than five persons, display of weapons, use of loud speaker and pillion riding are prohibited under Section 144.

Government of Punjab banned pillion riding on 9th and 10th Muharram in the provincial capital Lahore to ensure law and order.

Sixty one persons, including three Rangers officials, were killed and over 150 received injuries when a suicide bomber blew himself up at the third Rangers checkpost, around 500 yards away from the Wagah international border in Punjab. The DG Rangers (Punjab), Major General Tahir Javed Khan, confirmed that a suicide bomber had carried out the attack who was trying to enter the parade venue at the border crossing. DIG, Operations, Dr Haider Ashraf said the crime scene implied that the suicide bomber was carrying around 15 kilograms of explosives and a bag. He ruled out the impression of the use of an explosive device, saying the blast created only a one-inch crater.

Three militant outfits claimed the responsibility of the attack. The Jundallah group was the first to take responsibility. It was followed by the Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, the breakaway faction of the TTP) The JuA ‘spokesman’, Ehsanullah Ehsan, claimed a suicide bomber Hanifullah carried out the Wagah attack. “It was a suicide attack and the target were the Pakistani security forces protecting the Shia community,” he said. “We learnt that a so-called militant organisation Jundallah has claimed responsibility but it’s not true. This is not the same Jundallah engaged in targeting the Shia community in Iran. This is a fake group that doesn’t even have a single suicide bomber,” the spokesman insisted. And finally, a group introducing itself as the TTP’s Mahar Mehsud faction phoned reporters to claim responsibility for the attack. 

The Federal Minister of Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said that the Ministry of Interior had issued a warning of a suicide bombing in Lahore and an investigation would be initiated against those who had not taken the necessary steps to avert this tragedy, reports The News. He directed the police and other security agencies to show a high level of alertness on Ashura day. He said that after the Lahore incident, the Army had been called out in 54 cities as around 33,000 SFs personnel had been deployed in different towns and cities to ensure law and order.

According to Punjab Home Department, as many as 25,463 civilians and security personnel have been killed in terrorist attacks from 2003 to October 19, 2014 across the country. Punjab Interior Ministry data revealed that in 2014 (till October 19) a total of 1,809 people were killed including 1,369 civilians and 440 security personnel. Data revealed that in 2003, a total of 164 people were killed which included 140 civilians and 24 security personnel. In 2004, 619 people were killed including 435 civilians and 184 security personnel, in 2005 about 511 people were killed including 430 civilians and 81 security personnel.

Data showed that 933 people were killed in 2006 out of which 608 were civilians and 325 were security personnel, in 2007, as many as 2119 people were killed which included 1,522 civilians and 597 security personnel and in 2008, 2,809 were killed out of which 2,155 were civilians and 654 security personnel. Data further showed that 3,315 people were killed in 2009 out of which 2,324 were civilians and 991 were security personnel. It said 2,265 people were killed in 2010 which included 1,796 civilians and 469 security personnel while in 2011 some 3,503 people were targeted which included 2,738 civilians and 765 security personnel.

As many as 3,739 people were killed in 2012 which included 3007 civilians and 732 security personnel while in 2013 some 3677 people were killed out of which 3001 were civilians and 676 security personnel.

Security Forces and BDS foiled two more terror plots near the Wagah border parking area by defusing IED near the site of November 2’s suicide terrorist attack. The BDS also recovered a 10-kg suicide jacket from the fields during a search operation. Sources said that at least twelve suspected people were arrested from the areas around the incident place and were sent to an undisclosed location for interrogation.

A Christian couple has reportedly been burnt to death in a brick kiln over blasphemy charges in Kot Radha Kishan city of Kasur District. The couple was accused of desecrating the holy Quran, however, some news reports contradicted the allegation by claiming that there was some dispute between Shahzad and Shama, the couple and the kiln owner.

The HRCP had also reported an increase in attacks on minorities and mentioned 2013 as one of the darkest years for the Christian community in Pakistan. The incident in Kot Radha Kishan appears to be another outcome of blasphemy law, which has already resulted in many innocent deaths in the past. The Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research (PILER) had condemned the murder of the couple.

The death toll in the November 2 suicide attack at Wagah Border has reached 61 with the death of one Shahid Mahmood (40), a resident of Hafizabad, who had been severely injured in the suicide bomb attack.

A Joint Investigation Team is probing into the blast as per the directions of Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif. CCPO Lahore confirmed the arrest of two terrorists belonging to a banned outfit suspected to be involved in planning a number of attacks at the Wagah Border.

A Police officer Mukhtar Ahmed revealed that a Shia man, identified as Syed Tufail Hyder, was killed by Police Officer Sarfraz Naveed in police custody on grounds of blasphemy in Gujrat city of the same District. Hyder was detained on November 5, 2014, following a street fight. Ahmed said that Naveed killed Hyder with an axe, gave himself up and said he did it because Hyder allegedly repeatedly insulted companions of the Prophet during questioning.

Two Police Constables, identified as Muhammad Waheed and Qamar Shah, were killed and two others, identified as Adeel and Yasir, were injured when unidentified militants opened fire on them while they were stationed outside an Imambargah within the limits of Sadiqabad Police Station in Rawalpindi District. A passer-by, identified as Muhammad Rizwan, was also injured in the attack. According to Police, the armed assailants tried to attack Shia mourners during a congregation at Rizvia Hall in Sadiqabad.

A dead body, identified as that of Rasheed Cheema (36), was found from his house located near Naya Muhala in Bara Market area of Rawalpindi District. The victim was PPP Punjab Additional Secretary Haji Salim Cheema's son. DSP Sardar Babar Mumtaz said that the body bore torture marks and appeared to be two days old.

Scanning and checking in residential localities in and around eight Central Jails of Punjab and its internal and external security, which contain prisoners involved in terrorism and sectarianism cases, has recently been done by Police and jail officials on the orders of the Punjab Government. The exercise has been done after the Karachi Central Jail break plot in October 2014. Seven of the eight jails include, Kot Lakhpat jail (Lahore), Faisalabad jail, Mianwali jail, Adiala jail (Rawalpindi), Sahiwal jail, Multan jail and Bahawalpur jail. A senior jail official said that around 200 prisoners belonging to different militant organizations had been languishing in these Central Jails.

Hussain Khar, son of former Punjab Governor Ghulam Mustafa Khar was abducted by unidentified militants near his Askari V residence within Naseerabad Police Limits in Lahore District.

Law Enforcement Agencies confiscated four flags of the militant outfit known as the Islamic State fighting in Iraq and Syria (ISIS or IS) from Taxila city in Rawalpindi District. The flags were fixed to electricity poles in a closely guarded part of Taxila, near the POF, and an investigation has been initiated to root out any sympathisers of the terrorist organisation from areas near the Federal Capital. It was confirmed by an unnamed Intelligence officer. "Investigators are looking at footage from surveillance cameras to try and identify those who put up the flags in this area," he said, adding that some locals who were in the printing business had been questioned by Police in a bid to identify suspects.

Chakwal Police arrested a Christian man from Lahore District over an alleged act of blasphemy. According to Police sources, the man was booked for blasphemous remarks made by him. He used derogatory language against the Holy Prophet in his blogs.

On July 4, 2010, a man posted a comment on the website of a private TV channel and alleged that the accused was committing blasphemy in his blogs. On June 9, 2011, Mohammad Saeed, a resident of Talagang in Chakwal District, filed an application in the City Police Station against the accused and a case was registered under Section 295C. According to Police, the accused went into hiding after the registration of the case. He was arrested from Lahore after about three and a half years.

A Professor of German Department in NUML, identified as Khalid Bilal Ahmad Khan, was shot dead in an incident of targeted killing near Tarnol in Islamabad. Khan was travelling towards his home with his wife who sustained injuries. The attackers fled towards Rawalpindi.

Policemen in Lahore arrested two suspects for plastering IS stickers on walls in various localities in the District. Earlier on November 3, 2014, stickers bearing the IS flag were found plastered on walls in Lahore's Canal Road, Nawab Town and some other areas.

The NACTA informed the Punjab Home Department and Regional Police Officer, Rawalpindi that TTP might target Fauji Foundation Hospital on Jhelum Road in provincial capital Lahore. It has received intelligence that some militants in the garb of female patients would shift arms, ammunition and explosive to the hospital.

The hospital administration informed that it has also received an anonymous letter in which it was threatened that the Taliban would hit the hospital. The one page letter written in Urdu was received by the hospital management through ordinary mail some two weeks ago. When the RPO Akhtar Umar Hayat Laleka was contacted, he confirmed that a threatening letter had been received by the Hospital.

Police foiled a terror attack and arrested Mariah Khan, the group leader of a militant outfit that is based in South Waziristan Agency of FATA, from Islamabad. Police sources said that Mariah was in possession of explosive material that was to be used for explosion in Aabpara. The Aabpara SHO Khalid Awan confirmed the report, saying that Mariah Khan was shifting the explosive material to a hideout near Masjid-e-Shohda when he was intercepted by Police. Explosive material included two hand grenades, detonators, 7 batteries and remote control.

Punjab Home Department issued a warning about a possible second attack at the Wagah Border and directed the Law Enforcement Agencies to take precautionary measures. The letter reads: "Reportedly, terrorists are planning to attack Wagah Border again and also (the) Sikh pilgrims who are visiting their holy places in various parts of Punjab." It further says that the terrorists are planning to target ISI set-up in Bhara Kahu near Islamabad as well.

In an incident of target killing, a religious leader, Guam Nadal Irfan (45), was shot dead in Sector E-11/4 of the federal capital Islamabad in the night of November 26 when he was going to E-11 from G-11. The victim hailed from Gilgit. He was a 'Zakir' in an Imambargah. Guam Nadal Irfan, son of Gul Aman was going to meet a family living in House no. 290, Street 20, Sector E-11/4 after setting off from G-11/2 when a group of unidentified assailants intercepted him and riddled him with bullets.

A Shia cleric and senior leader of MWM, Allama Muhammad Nawaz Irfani, shot dead in a drive-by shooting in the limits of Golrah Police Station in the Federal capital Islamabad. According to the Police, Allama Nawaz Irfani, was targeted on way to Islamabad from his home town Parachinar in Kurram Agency of FATA.

Unidentified armed assailants opened fire at the residence of Shahbaz Gormani, a lawyer defending a university lecturer accused of blasphemy, and dropped a letter warning him to withdraw from the case in Multan District. However, Gormani escaped unhurt. Gormani had been appointed defence lawyer in the case after gunmen shot dead Rashid Rehman, a defence counsel for Junaid Hafeez. Hafeez, a lecturer at Bahauddin Zakariya University, was accused of making derogatory remarks against the Prophet Mohammed in March 2013.

According to unnamed officials, one of the four terror suspects who had undergone plastic surgery in an attempt to escape overseas from Lahore International Airport was arrested.

The TTP Punjab Chapter chief 'commander' Qari Asmatullah Mauwiya safely attended his father's funeral prayer in a remote village near Katcha Khu in Khanewal District and openly left the village despite tight police vigilance and security measures. Mauwiya has been placed on top in the lists of most wanted terrorists of the Punjab Police and the Security Agencies. "Everyone knew that Asmatullah Mauwiya was reaching the village expect the Police," said a witness.

Khanewal DPO Rana Ayaz Salim denied Asmatullah's arrival in the District for the burial of his father. He said the entire Police force had cordoned off the area and he could not reach village. The DPO said the District Police had activated the informers' network but failed to find him at the burial ceremony.

According to a document, marked 'secret' and bearing the subject, 'threat alert', which was submitted to the Punjab Government warned the Punjab Government that a group of activists from the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS or Islamic State-IS), also known as 'Daish', are currently in Pakistan. The document read that certain Daish leaders from the Middle East are said to be travelling between Lahore, Multan and Rahimyar Khan Districts. According to the document, intelligence agencies believe that they are being supported by members of Jundullah, a terrorist outfit that has already pledged allegiance to IS leader, Abu Bakar Al-Baghdadi.

The document, which was sent to RPO Rawalpindi Akhtar Umar Hayat Laleka and other senior Police Officers across the Province, names Zubair Al-Kuwaiti, who is believed to be from the Middle East, and warns local law enforcement to beef up vigilance at entry and exit points to try and capture the suspects before they have a chance to activate their network inside Pakistan.

Unidentified militants shot dead a polio vaccinator, identified as Sarfraz Ahmad (48), in Peoples Colony of Faisalabad District. Jundullah claimed responsibility for the killing. "These people [polio workers] are not safe anywhere as our mujahidin are present in every corner of the country," the Jundullah 'spokesperson', Amadullah Marwat said.

Unidentified armed assailants shot dead MQM District Vice President Bao Muhammad Anwar outside a restaurant at Shahabpura Road in Sialkot District.

Punjab Chief Secretary Naveed Akram Cheema said polio teams will be provided with foolproof security for making the ongoing polio campaign successful in the province. He was chairing a meeting for the provision of security to polio teams. Home Minister Shuja Khanzada, Home secretary, IGP, Commissioner, Information secretary and DCO were present. The chief secretary said all possible steps are being taken for making Punjab polio-free province and security is being provided to polio teams. He said the duration of campaign has been extended from three days to five days.

The Punjab Home Department is reported to have warned the Provincial Police Force that some Chechen and Uzbek militants who left Waziristan in the wake of the Zarb-i-Azb military operation are trying to join the Islamic State militant group in the country. In a letter to Divisional Police Chiefs, Intelligence Agencies and the Counter-Terrorism Department of Punjab, the Home Department said there were reports that some militant groups of Pakistan were joining the IS, also known as 'Daish', because of its anti-Shia policies. But it also revealed that there were groups which were resisting the IS.

Former Federal Minister of Interior Rehman Malik warned that the ISIS (also known as Daish) was expanding its tentacles in Pakistan with Gujranwala becoming its main hub. In a statement, he said one person from Gujranwala and another from Bahawalpur were operating for the organisation, adding that the ISIS was a subsidiary of al Qaeda, while its leader Yousaf Salafi had travelled between Iraq and Pakistan.

Police foiled a major terror attack by killing at least four TTP Punjab Chapter militants in Muzaffargarh District. The militants belonged to Abu-Ubaida group of Punjabi Taliban. Two Police Officers were injured in the exchange of fire. The Police recovered heavy weapons and explosives, including four suicide jackets, 12 rockets, 40 hand grenades, 328 kilogram of gun-powder, from their possession. "We received information from intelligence officials about the movement of militants in the area. The gunfight started when police signaled a car to stop for checks and militants fired at the cops, "Rai Zamir-ul-Haq, Police Chief in the District said.

The Capital Police arrested the owner of the vehicle used by terrorists in their December 16, 2014, attack on the Army Public School in Peshawar, said officials. The officials said the man had been under investigation to determine if he had any links with terrorists. When contacted, IG of Police Tahir Alam Khan confirmed that the suspect had been arrested.

Some sources said that the suspect worked at a Government Department but Police officials declined to confirm or deny this. Other sources said the suspect and his son ran a travel agency which had office on the University Road in Peshawar. They said that during interrogation it was revealed that the vehicle was in the suspect’s possession for the last five years. However, the suspect expressed ignorance about the vehicle’s use by the terrorists and said that one of his relatives had borrowed it from him. Efforts are under way to verify the suspect’s claims, according to the sources.

The lack of progress on tackling terrorism is evident from the fact that in 2014, the conviction rate in the three ATCs of the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad remained low. In the two ATCs of Rawalpindi, 205 cases were heard but there were convictions in less than ten. However, even this was a success compared to the Islamabad ATC which did not convict a single accused.

There is no one reason to explain why terrorists are rarely convicted by the courts. Be it the flawed investigation, the lack of evidence or the fear of the terrorists, all these reasons lead to those accused of terrorism being freed by the courts. Since 2007, over 2,000 alleged terrorists, who have been accused of having been involved in high profile terrorism cases, have been freed by the ATCs of the country. And if the Security Agencies are to be believed, a large number of them have rejoined terrorist outfits.

The ATC Rawalpindi acquitted LeJ chief Malik Ishaq from three cases of terrorism for want of evidence. Ishaq was facing three charges under separate FIRs registered under sections 9 and 11 of the ATA (which deal with whipping up sectarian hatred) and section 16 of the Maintenance of Public Order.

It was reported that the Punjab Government is likely to get at least 80 top terrorists executed in coming days after it sought details about all condemned prisoners who had been awarded death penalty by various courts in the past. At present, there are over 530 condemned prisoners in all Punjab jails that include around 80 terrorists of banned militant organizations/groups who were awarded death sentence under murder and terrorism charges by Anti-Terrorism Courts, it is learnt.

“These terrorists (about 80) fall under extremely high-profile category in the list of 530 culprits awarded death penalty. Their execution was halted after all of them filed mercy petitions before the president, who under the law is empowered to cancel such punishment,” an official said on the condition of anonymity. He said that since the Government looked to be serious to execute at least the top terrorists in the phase-1, the Home Department had sought urgent details from the quarters concerned in this regard in view of the Government’s decision.

Two terrorists were killed near Lalamusa area in Gujrat District. According to details, the Lalamusa Saddar Police were bringing Qari Muhammad Afzal alias Fauji on remand for investigation when seven armed militants ambushed the Police near Mauza Khawaspur Chowk. Qari Afzal in handcuffs ran towards the armed assailants. However, he and his accomplice Hafiz Ahmed fell victim to the firing of their other accomplices. The Police recovered a Kalashnikov, two magazines and 20 rounds from the scene of firing.

Due to the current security situation, Police declared 17 religious seminaries sensitive in the capital. According to Police sources, close check will be kept on the said seminaries. All these seminaries are located in different sectors of Islamabad whereas Police is collecting data about it. Moreover, it is reported that these seminaries can be targeted any time.

Two convicted terrorists, identified as Mohammed Aqeel alias Dr Usman and Arshad Mehrban, were hanged at the Faisalabad District Jail after prison officials received their death warrants. Aqeel was a former member of the Army’s Medical Corps and was among the seven people convicted for their role in the attack on Army Headquarters in Rawalpindi on October 10, 2009. Mehrban had been convicted for his involvement in the attack on former President Genera (retd.) Pervez Musharraf on December 25, 2003 in Rawalpindi District. Security had been tightened at Faisalabad’s central and district prisons ahead of the executions. The black warrant for Dr Usman was signed by Army Chief General Raheel Sharif on December 18, 2014.

The Government gave the go-ahead to all Inspectors General to execute 22 prisoners on death row for terrorism-related acts. An official said prison chiefs have been asked to further proceed with the 22 cases cleared by the Interior Ministry for execution. “With the addition of these prisoners, the number of those to be executed has now reached 85,” the official said. The mercy pleas of the 22 prisoners were rejected by then President Pervez Musharraf. “The law wing of the Interior Ministry is now looking into 378 more such cases,” the official added.

Police, arrested at least four suspects, including a woman, from Gharibabad area of Hasilpur in Bahawalpur District in connection with December 16, 2014, killing of APS children in Peshawar. The four were tracked through a mobile SIM which was reportedly used by terrorists during the attack on the school. The SIM was registered in the name of the woman who was taken into custody along with three others. A local mobile franchise dealer was also included in the scope of investigations.

Security was increased at Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore District. Heavy contingents of Punjab Rangers officials and Punjab Police were deployed at the Kot Lakhpat jail as law enforcement agencies placed barricades and barbed wires on roads leading to the jail. The Quick Response force has also been deployed at the central jail and were patrolling the area on a regular basis throughout the day.

According to sources in the jail, four high-profile terrorists are expected to be hanged anytime after the jail administration receives death warrants from the court. Convict Muhammad Zahid, who was involved in an attack on a sensitive building in Multan District could be hanged anytime, sources added. The jail administration has also finalised arrangements for three other terrorists, Nadeem, Azeem and Kamran, who had been sentenced to death by the courts.

Intelligence Agencies personnel arrested a man, identified as Muhammad Arshad, from Khurshaidabad area of Kamalia tehsil in Toba Tek Singh District over his alleged involvement in terrorist activities. Kamalia Police sources said a suspicious call to the mobile phone of Arshad, was traced and he was suspected of having ties with terrorists.

LEAs freed a woman and a mobile franchise dealer of Hasilpur area in Bahawalpur District who were arrested for their alleged role in December 16, 2014, Peshawar school killings. They were arrested on December 19, 2014. Shazia Parveen, a resident of Khairpur Deh village near Qaimpur in Hasilpur, had been taken into custody four days back after a mobile phone SIM on her name was allegedly recovered from a terrorist who had attacked the Army Public School.

Sources in the know of things said both of them told the LEA personnel that the SIM was activated by some NADRA officials who visited the place in their mobile van. They told the agency that they had no role in handing over of the disputed SIM to any terrorist.

At least 117 suspects, including 20 Afghans, were detained by the Police during a successful operation in Islamabad. As per details, SFs and Police Officers conducted a search operation in various areas of Islamabad and took 117 suspects into custody. Sources reported that as many as 20 Afghan nationals were among those arrested. Police have revealed that these Afghan nationals were having no legal documents for their stay in Pakistan due to which they were arrested. Also, the security agencies have vowed to continue the search operation till the elimination of last terrorist from the country.

LEAs arrested three TTP militants from Jhang and Faisalabad Districts for their involvement in terror-related cases in Gujrat District. A senior security official said two suspects were captured from the Jhang District and third from Faisalabad District. He did not disclose the identity of the three suspects as they were handed over to intelligence agency for further investigation.

The Punjab Government confirmed in Punjab Assembly that the process of capital punishment in the Province has been started and as many as 5,419 terrorists are detained in different jails of the Province, and about 57 appeals of mercy of terrorists have been rejected. Parliamentary Secretary Nazar Gondal further told the House that the government had withdrawn the initial notification regarding ban on capital punishment to the accused persons in jails so now the process to give death penalty to the terrorists have been restored.

Gujranwala Jail Superintendent Kamran Anjum revealed that there is no terrorist in Central Jail. He said that there were only two condemned prisoners in jail whose mercy petitions had been rejected by President Mamnoon Hussain. He said that Mushtaq, son of Ali Bahadar of Jhelum, and M Iqbal, son of Ghulam Rasool, of Gujranwala were on death row.

Security in jails across Punjab has been strengthened. No visitor is allowed to enter jail premises without original identity card. The record of all the visitors is maintained daily and no meeting with any prisoner is allowed other than the scheduled time Metal detectors, screening machines and close-circuit television sets have been installed in all jails to check the entry of authorised items as well as arms and ammunition. All deputy superintendents and assistant superintendents are paying at least two visits daily to barracks assigned to them for maintaining discipline. All regional DIGs have also been directed to ensure strict compliance of the directive by paying surprise visits to jails in their jurisdiction.

DIG, Operations, Dr Haider Ashraf said a special security plan on the occasion of Christmas had been devised. He said six SPs, 35 DSPs, 83 Inspectors and 5000 Police Officials would be deployed for the security of celebrations and churches on December 24-25, 2014. He said the security plan had been divided into three categories A, B and C. There were 153 Christian settlements in the Lahore city. He said there were total 481 churches in the city and there were 69 churches in category A, 94 in Category B and 318 in category C. Churches would be guarded by barriers, barbed-wires, sniffing dogs, walk-through gates, metal detectors and scanners, he added. Search sweep operations would be conducted in the Christian communities as well, he said. The participants would be allowed to enter after thorough checking.

Police, Rangers and Intelligence Agencies carried out a joint operation in Shehzad Town Islamabad and arrested an alleged Afghan terrorist along with eight other suspects. Documents and fake stamps were recovered from the terrorist suspected to be Afghan who has now been given in the custody of an Intelligence Agency for interrogation, whereas weapons were recovered from eight other suspects. Police and Security Forces also arrested at least 32 suspects across Faisalabad District.

Islamabad's Benazir International Airport was put on red alert, reportedly due to security reasons. The airport was cleared roughly an hour later and resumed normal operations Police, the Airport Security Force, Rangers and Army were called in after the airport was put on high alert and all the entry and exit points of the airport were sealed off. There was a security threat, airport officials confirmed and said it was cleared after a search operation was conducted.

Intelligence Agencies after tracing a suspicious call carried out a raid in Farid Colony near Kot Lakhpat area of provincial capital Lahore and arrested three suspected terrorists, including two women, who were allegedly planning to attack the Central Jail Kot Lakhpat. During the raid, the Intelligence Agencies personnel also found in upper portion of the house a rocket launcher, uniform of the armed forces, bow and arrows, latest weapons, maps of the central jail as well as other documents. "Women were to be used in the jail attack," one of the sources said, adding that the suspects were moved to an unknown place for interrogation. Later, the SFs carried out raids on indication of the terrorists.

There are 63 convicts, who have been awarded death sentence in cases of terrorism, confined in the central jail. These death-row prisoners include five convicts, Ehsan Azeem, Asif Idrees, Amir Yousaf, Kamran Aslam and Umar Nadeem, who were awarded capital punishment by Field General Court Martial and the stay order against their executions has been vacated by Lahore High Court (LHC) Rawalpindi bench.

PTI Punjab President Ejaz Chaudhry said that Punjab should be the focal point for eliminating terrorists in the light of multi-party conference recommendations and consequent approval by the National Action Committee. Chaudhry said that the Punjab Government should make a Provincial Action Plan against terrorists as terrorism had not plagued Khyber Pakhtunkhwa or Balochistan only, but was also rooted in many areas of Punjab. Until Punjab focused on improving the law and order situation and stopped providing indirect support to banned organisations, he said, the menace of terrorism could not be eliminated.

Gunmen shot dead a member of the Ahmadi religious minority. Luqman Ahad Shehzad was shot in the back of the head near Bhiri Shah Rehman village, a small community of Ahmadis in the Gujranwala District of Punjab.