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Live updates: Security forces, suspected militants clash in Lahore
By Asad Kharal / Web Desk
Published: July 17, 2014
LAHORE: Security forces and suspected militants engage in a fierce battle in Arayian village on Raiwind road in Lahore, Express News reported on Thursday.
Security forces – which arrived in the area to conduct a search operation on a tip-off – were fired at from inside a house.
10:22am Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s residence in Raiwind is just a few kilometers away from this area.
Sources tell Express News that the house is owned by a man named Dr Manzoor. Intelligence agency officers have reportedly arrested the owner for interrogation. Dr Manzoor is said to be a farmer and lives in a nearby village.
Police express fear that there could be explosive material inside the house.
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10:15am
More security personnel have been called in for back up.
Residents tells Express News that three men, a woman and a few children resided in the house. They had reportedly moved in six months ago.
The suspected militants are feared dead, however, security forces have not confirmed their deaths as yet.
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10:08am
The operation which started at 2am still continues after eight hours of on-and-off exchange of fire between security forces and militants.
Firing starts again after a lull of three hours.
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10:01am
Federal Minister Khanzada says security forces are not intensifying the operation as they want to arrest the suspected militants alive.
9:57am
Security officers are using megaphones to communicate with the suspected militants.
Police have also urged residents of the area to remain inside their houses.
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9:53am
Minister for Anti-Terrorism Colonel Shuja Khanzada says women and children are also present inside the house.
The militants have fired three rockets at the security forces.
Security personnel have cordoned off the entire area and also laid siege to the house.
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9:44am
The exchange of fire between security forces and suspected militants has stopped, however, the house has not been cleared as yet.
High officials of two intelligence agencies are leading the operation.
The total number of injured personnel has reached five.
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7:00am
An Elite Force official was killed and another was injured when security forces and militants traded fire during the search operation in Lahore.
While talking to The Express Tribune, an official associated with the operation revealed that the exchange of fire began when security forces along started a search operation in Arayian village on a tip-off.
The suspected militants – allegedly equipped with heavy weaponry including grenades, rocket launchers and explosive devices – opened fire on security forces from inside a house.
At least two blasts were reportedly heard during the four-hour long operation in the area.
Security officials said they had sought reinforcements to aid in their operation. The DIG operation has also set Lahore’s security on high alert.
SP Rao Anwar added that, “the operation is being conducted jointly” by security forces.
He urged the villagers to cooperate.
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