LAHORE: Caretaker Chief Minister Punjab Mohsin Raza Naqvi has confirmed that the two main suspects of the Jaranwala incident have been arrested by the Counter-Terrorism Force (CTD).
The caretaker chief minister in his message released on social media website X said that both the main accused are now in the custody of CTD, he appreciated the efforts of Chief Secretary Punjab and IG for taking timely measures.
He said that the prime minister’s unwavering concern guided us in speeding up the arrest process and was grateful for the trust reposed in our team.
Major breakthrough in the Jaranwala Incident – both main accused now in CTD Custody.
Appreciation for Chief Secretary Punjab and IG Punjab for their relentless efforts. Prime Minister’s unwavering concern guided us, driving the swift arrest process. Grateful for the trust he…— Mohsin Naqvi (@MohsinnaqviC42) August 17, 2023
Police sources said that the two arrested suspects have been identified as Umeer Saleem alias Raja and Umar Suleiman. He is employed in a private company, the Police added.
According to the sources, the accused took out their SIM from the mobile and broke it immediately after the tragedy and then they fled from Gujranwala.
On the other hand, IG Punjab Dr. Usman Anwar has said in his video message that within 24 hours, the police detained the two main named accused, who are being investigated. Insolence in honour of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) cannot be tolerated, he said.
He said, “Public’s anger was justified after the incident, we are grateful to these scholars, who kept the public from provocation, and peace was maintained in the entire Punjab. Where miscreants set fire to churches, damaged holy places, destroyed their homes, put their lives in danger, this is also not acceptable in Islam. Allah the Almighty and the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) have ordered that we must protect the minorities.”
IG Punjab said, “Our law also orders us that we will protect them, and we will bring all those who did this to justice. With the help of artificial intelligence, we have started arresting them.” Dr. Usman Anwar said, “We have arrested more than 125 people with the help of our human intelligence, video camera with computer, and other methods which we will bring to the court of law, my message of peace is for tomorrow, tomorrow. Scholars must request a day of peace in the mosques.”
He thanked the regional peace committee, and leaders of all religions including Christians for establishing peace and said that above all we are grateful to the Islamic scholars who supported the Punjab Police by condemning the incident.
The IG Punjab further said, “We will make the accused of both incidents of desecration of the Holy Prophet and the Holy Qur’an and atrocities against Christians to the status of infidels. We promise the people that we will do this very soon because God is with us and will be our supporter and helper.”
