JeM chief Masood Azhar's brother among 44 arrested in Pakistan
The Pakistani Government today claimed that it has arrested as many as 44 members belonging to banned outfits, including Mufti Abdul Rauf, the brother of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar. It said that the members have been arrested for investigation purposes. The government also reportedly said that the crackdown on banned organizations will continue for the next two weeks. Here's more.
Action not taken under any foreign pressure: Pak Minister
The announcement of the Pakistani Government's crackdown on banned outfits was made by the country's Minister of State for Interior, Shehryar Khan Afridi, at a press conference today. The Minister, however, claimed that they were not taking the action under any foreign pressure. He reportedly said the government's action "is not an outcome" of any pressure but taken in the interest of Pakistan.
44 members taken in preventive detention for investigation
Apart from Mufti Abdul Rauf, Masood Azhar's brother-in-law, Hamad Azhar, is also among the 44 persons detained by the Pakistani Government, according to India Today. Reports also say that these "under-observation members of proscribed organizations have been taken in preventive detention for investigation".
Action against banned outfits to continue
Pakistan to take action against all proscribed organizations
The Pakistani Minister of State for Interior also that the government would take action against all proscribed organizations in the country, reported Pakistan's The News. According to the report, the country's Secretary Interior also said that a dossier shared by the Indian Government with Pakistan contained the names of Mufti Abdur Rauf and Hammad Azhar.
Dozens of suspected terrorists among those taken into custody
The Pakistani Government's crackdown on banned outfits was reportedly launched as part of the National Action Plan (NAP). The number of those detainees is expected to rise over the next two weeks as the government continues its crackdown. Among those detained today are several close relatives of Masood Azhar apart from dozens of suspected terrorists, say reports.
A full-fledged strategy is now in place: Pak Information Minister
Pakistan's Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry earlier said, "A full-fledged strategy is now in place. We have different strategies for different groups, but the main aim is...we have to enforce the writ of the state. We have to demilitarize if there are groups (on our soil)."
