PESHAWAR: The main suspect involved in the police lines mosque blast – that occurred on January 30, 2023 – has been arrested, informed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General Akhtar Hayat Khan on Tuesday. Nearly 100 people including 86 police personnel were killed in the suicide blast attack, and with many more injured.
The arrested accused is a police constable belonging to Peshawar named Muhammad Wali, IGP Akhtar Hayat said, adding that he was arrested from Jameel Chowk Peshawar. Two suicide jackets were also recovered from him during arrest.
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The IGP said that the accused is involved in the delivery of suicide jackets, suicide bombers and explosives from Afghanistan. He also helped the suicide bomber at the Police Lines Mosque in target identification, recon and delivery to the target, IGP Akhtar Hayat informed during a press conference.
The accused belongs to Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, a sub-organization of Fitna-ul-Khawarij, IG Police said, adding that he joined the police force in 2019 and then took leave to go to Afghanistan three years ago.
On his return to Peshawar, the accused was arrested by the Afghan forces. He provided map of police lines to suicide bomber by telegram, the IGP said. He also brought the suicide bomber from Khyber to Pir Zakuri, the police chief said, adding that the accused received Rs 200,000 through Hundi for the whole operation. “The accused had committed terrorist activities before,” Akhtar Hayat Khan said.
The accused received Rs 40,000- Rs 50,000 per month from Jamaat-ul-Ahrar. He also delivered suicide jackets and explosives to different places. “The accused used to place the suicide vest and explosive material at the designated places and then used to inform the organisation,” IG police said.
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This is a branch of hybrid war, he said, adding that the accused was alone which is why it took time to trace him. He said that the police conduct regular background checks before recruitment, but dealing with terrorism is a continuous effort.
Social media is used to influence minds, the IG said, adding that Khyber and southern districts especially face challenges.
“The police personnel are being provided with modern technologies,” the police chief said, adding, “all agencies are working together”.