Pakistan has conducted a series of operations across the country, including in the federal capital Islamabad, to crack down on illegal Afghan nationals. According to security officials, 83 Afghan nationals were arrested during the operations, which also included screenings and checks on residential records.
The operations were carried out in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Murre, Jehlum, and Chakwal. In Lahore, two alleged culprits were killed in a shootout with the Crime Control Department police, bringing the total number of fatalities in the Shah Gang clashes to seven over the past three days.
The law enforcement agencies are continuing their operations, including arrests and investigations into suspected activities, focusing on violations of rent laws and advertising. Security officials confirmed that operations are also underway to arrest an advertised suspect and recover narcotics and weapons.
The operations involved the police, Lady Police, Rangers, Elite Police Sections, Dolphin Squad, and CTI officials. Authorities have stated that they will continue their operations without discrimination against unregistered Afghan nationals.
In a separate development, the Pakistani government has directed the air traffic control to closely monitor the country’s airspace following the alleged attack on Iran. The Iranian ambassador in Islamabad has confirmed that Iran has been attacked, and Pakistan is helping Iranian nationals return to their country.
The Pakistani foreign office has advised its citizens to avoid unnecessary travel to Iran due to security concerns. Security sources revealed that the Pakistan Air Force has struck Afghan military headquarters in Qandahar and hit two targets in the Mihmandara Valley in Nangarhar province.
In a move to tighten security, the government has imposed a complete ban on movement under Section 144 in several areas of Dera Ismail Khan. The High Court bar elections will see 32,488 advocates casting their votes.
According to the Met Office, there is a possibility of drought-like conditions in Karachi and Lahore by the end of February. SSP Arif Aziz confirmed that 98 Afghan nationals were taken into custody during the operation.
In a related development, the Pakistani army has claimed to have killed four key Taliban commanders, including two important Taliban commanders, in a gun battle in the Tera Valley in the Khyber district. The Taliban had been stationed in the Dor Baba area of Afghanistan.
In a statement, Minister of Defense Khawaja Asif has asked Afghan Taliban’s Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani why they are not reciprocating the kindness shown to them by Pakistan. He said that Pakistan had sheltered the families of Afghan Taliban leaders for decades and helped them in the fight against the Soviet Union.
Meanwhile, Iran has fired missiles at the Mufak al-Salti base in Jordan, targeting US forces, and explosions were also heard in the Saudi capital Riyadh.
