'Militants spreading their tentacles in Islamabad'

Islamabad, Aug 8 (ANI): Militants are spreading their tentacles in Islamabad, police sources have claimed.

In July alone, the police arrested militants in three separate incidents in the city, indicating that the latter have a considerable presence in Islamabad, the Dawn reports.

In fact, the local police and administration are now beginning to believe that new settlements in and around Islamabad are turning into havens for terrorists and criminals.

"Some villages and dhokes are populated with criminals," a senior police officer has said.

Reports suggest that settlements villages in Tarnol and Golra are feared to be providing shelter to terrorists and criminals, with officials claiming that they stop here during their trips from the Punjab to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa or back.

As both these places are close to the provincial boundaries of Punjab and KP, on the foothills of the Margallas, they are accessible to outsiders and also provide a quick exit, police said.

"Strangers - police personnel including - in such areas stand out and the residents pass on the information to each other, aiding in escape," the officers added.

However, police and security forces managed to arrest at least six terrorists from the outskirts of the capital. In early July, a senior member of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan's intelligence network was picked up from Dhoke Kashmirian.

Besides, a series of arrests took place later, indicating the presence of militants in the city. (ANI)