20 LeJ members, 4 cops arrested over Pakistan minister Shuja Khanzada's killing

LAHORE: Pakistani authorities have arrested around 20 members of Lashkar-e-Jhanghvi and four cops with alleged links to the banned outfit in connection with Punjab Home Minister Shuja Khanzada's assassination in a suicide bombing.

"We have arrested some 20 members of banned LeJ in different parts of the Punjab province in connection with the assassination of Col (Retd) Shuja," a senior police official engaged in counterterrorism operation in the province told PTI.

He said the intelligence agencies have also got the clue about the terrorists involved in the killing of the home minister and "we will soon arrest them".

71-year-old Khanzada and 19 others were killed in a suicide attack at the minister's house in his native Shadi Khan village in Attock district of Punjab province, some 100 kilometres from the capital city of Islamabad.

The minister was holding a Jirga (reconciliatory meeting with the people of his area) at his house when two suicide bombers managed to enter and blew themselves up.

Lashkar-e-Jhanghvi, Tahreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and Jamaat-ul-Ahrar reportedly claimed the responsibility of the attack.

Khanzada, known for his tough anti-Taliban stance, had received threats from Al-Qaeda and Tahreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.

Last month, LeJ chief Malik Ishaq, his two sons and 11 other activists were killed in police custody following which the outfit had vowed to avenge the killing of their leaders. Ishaq was involved in the killing of over 100 Shia Muslims and attack on Sri Lankan Cricket Team in 2009.

"Four cops have also been taken into custody for their alleged links with the banned organisations. We have also interrogated the people employed at the minister's house.

"The minister's visit to his ancestral house was low-key. He went there with a little security," the official said, adding it appears the terrorists were supplied the information about the minister's movements by an insider.