Pakistani security forces on Friday arrested 52 suspects, including a wanted terrorist, during search operations in the restive tribal belt and adjoining areas, officials said.
Hazrat Noor, a terrorist wanted by the authorities, was apprehended by police at Saidano Banda in Hangu district, which borders the volatile Orkazai and Kurram tribal regions where security forces are conducting operations against the Taliban and other militant groups.
Fifty—one suspects associated with the banned Lashkar-e-Islam were arrested during a search operation by the Frontier Constabulary in Bara area of Khyber Agency.
Security forces also recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition from their possession.
The arrested suspects were taken to an undisclosed location for interrogation.
Security forces claim they have destroyed dozens of militant hideouts during the ongoing operation in Bara and Tirah areas of Khyber Agency.
In a separate development, two civilians were injured when eight mortar shells hit a security check post at Shahoo Khel in Hangu district, security officials said.
