ISLAMABAD: Punjab Police Inspector General Mushtaq Sukhera on Wednesday rejected the impression about presence of terrorists’ sleeper cells or nurseries in the province.
“There are no sleeper cells in Punjab. If we shall get any information about nurseries or sleeper cells, an appropriate action would be taken against them,” he said in a private news channel programme. He also rejected the notion that Punjab was opposing action against banned outfits and said that the province was implementing National Action Plan more vigorously than any other province.
“Punjab has framed new laws and its Joint Operation Committee meets more frequently than other provinces,” he said. He also mentioned the action against illegal use of loud speakers and distribution of hate material with the help of Joint Operation Committee that comprises members from police and intelligence agencies.
The inspector general said the law enforcing agencies meet weekly or every fortnightly, share information and take action where necessary. “At the moment we do not have any information about recruitment of youngsters by any mosque or seminary, for terrorist activities,” he said.
He also dispelled the impression that Punjab was a ‘no go area’ for Rangers and said, the provincial government takes support from Rangers when required as he specifically mentioned to operation against Chottu gang.
Sukhera said there is a mechanism in Punjab and whenever any situation arises where we need support from other law enforcing institutions, we definitely invite them.
Answering a question, he said the security agencies and law enforcing institutions had investigated from Chottu gang and no imprints of any linkages with terrorists were found. “It was only a criminal gang and had no linkages with any terrorist outfit,” he said.
