518 crime suspects arrested in Paktia in a year: Police

GARDEZ (Pajhwok): Police on Tuesday said they arrested 518 people for committing different crimes during the past one year in southeastern Paktia province and 47 others are on the run.

Police spokesman Mohammad Al-Badari told a press conference here that police had significant achievements in maintaining public order, combating crimes, preventing drug trafficking and bringing about administrative reforms.

Police detected and investigated 233 criminal cases in the past year, arresting 518 suspects, he said, adding that another 47 crime suspects were on the run.

During the period, 42 special operations were conducted against drug smuggling and 55 people were arrested and thousands of kilograms of drugs and 12 vehicles seized.

Also present at the press conference was Qari Karamatullah, deputy intelligence chief, who said practical measures had been taken to strengthen security in different parts of the province.

He said in the past one year, no activity of an opposing armed group was seen in the province, but if seen, it would be suppressed with an iron fist.

He said currently hundreds of people of the previous government were working with them in administrative areas. “If anyone else wants to work with us, we will give them positions keeping in view our resources.”

ma