Police have launched a crackdown against terrorists and arrested an alleged suicide jacket manufacturer from an area in the suburbs of the city, sources said. The accused is identified as Bilal Engineer, who allegedly belongs to Amjad Farooqi group of Taliban. CPO Multan Syed Saud Aziz confirmed the arrest of Bilal Engineer but declined to provide further details about him.
He said Bilal was being interrogated by concerned agencies. The police officer said, "As many as seven suicide jackets, satellite phone, illicit arms and sensitive documents have been recovered from the possession of the accused."
"The arrested terrorist is being quizzed by the agencies and some other terrorists have been rounded up from different parts of southern Punjab on the information obtained from him," source added.
Meanwhile, security has been beefed up in Multan and adjoining areas in view of prevailing law and order situation in the country.
Law enforcement agencies personnel in uniform and plain clothes have been deployed at all sensitive installations, police offices, government departments, schools and colleges.
Sources said Regional Police Officer Multan Arif Ikram and City Police Officer Saud Aziz carried out surprise visits to Sher Shah Oil Depot and Chenab Bridge and issued special orders for strengthening security at both the sensitive installations.
"We have installed lights around oil depot, while security guards and cops are deployed across the boundary wall to avert any untoward incident," an oil depot official told journalists.
He said barriers and concrete blocks were placed at all entry points and the vehicles and drivers entering the area were being thoroughly checked. According to sources, Special Branch personnel were also deployed at Sher Shah Oil facility. Similarly, heavy contingents of police have been deployed at Chenab Bridge. Along with installation of lights, patrolling at the bridge has been intensified.
Besides sensitive installations, overall security arrangements have been reviewed. Police vehicles and motorcycles kept patrolling in their respective areas throughout the day. Similarly, contingents of law enforcers were deployed at almost all the crossings, mosques and imam bargahs.