TTP militants behind attacks; aided by local facilitators: Police officer

Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) was behind the audacious terror attacks on two mosques of minority Ahmedi sect here that claimed over 95 lives and the militants carried out the strike with the help of local facilitators, a top police officer said today.

"A total of four terrorists had come here from the tribal area of Miran Shah on May 21 and were provided with weapons and grenades by local facilitators, three of whom were arrested," Punjab police deputy inspector General Naeem Bharokha told reporters here.

At least 95 people were killed and over 100 others injured in coordinated attacks on two mosques at Model Town and Garhi Shahu yesterday.
    
Two terrorists were killed and two others captured, he said, adding the militants had received training at a camp in Miran Shah.

"The arrested ones have been identified as Abdullah Mohammad of Rahim Yar Khan and Moaz alias Amir Movia from DG Khan. Both districts are adjacent to tribal areas. The dead have been identified as Mansoor of North Waziristan and Darwash of Swat," Bharokha said.

"It was a coordinated attack as the terrorists were well trained in using sophisticated weapons. Abdullah's brother is also an active member of TPP," he said, adding the purpose of the attack was to defame Pakistan.

"The arrested terrorists have also made other revelations which, however, cannot be disclosed now," the officer said. 

Meanwhile, a police official, who did not want to be identified, told PTI that the terrorists, after arriving in Lahore on May 21, stayed in Tableegi Markaz area of Raiwind.

"Their facilitators took them to the Ahmadis Mosques for at least two times before they carried out the deadly attack on May 28," he said.

The official said the attackers were religiously motivated and that they were told by their handlers that "killing Ahmadis is a license to go to heaven".

"They were also told that Ajmadis had role in drawing cartoon of Prophet Muhammad (on Facebook)," he said.

The arrested were remanded in police custody till June 18
by a local court.