Lahore: Pakistani police have arrested 30 members of the banned militant group Sipah-i-Sahaba from a house here and seized weapons and hate literature from them, officials said today.

They were arrested in Tajpura area of Lahore late last night, Superintendent of Police Sajjad Hussain Manj said. A strong police contingent raided the house of Rustam Ali Moawaia, an "active member" of the group, after receiving information that some militants had gathered there to plan criminal activities, he said.

The police seized an AK-47 rifle, shotguns, pistols and ammunition as well as hate literature, including pamphlets. Manj said police faced no resistance during the raid. However, Moawaia escaped from the house. Four of the arrested persons faced police investigation in some cases. Another arrested person, Mohammad Asif, was allegedly involved in throwing a grenade at the residence of a police officer.

Sarfraz Khan, the brother of Moawiaa, denied the charges levelled against the arrested people and said they were his guests. He said they had come to his home to mourn the death of a PPP activist and former Sipah-i-Sahaba member. Khan also said his brother had been associated with the Sipah-i-Sahaba in the past but was now running a legitimate business.

Source : PTI