'Stolen Lal Masjid arms may be used by terrorists to launch Mumbai type attacks'

Islamabad, Dec.27 (ANI): Experts in Pakistan have expressed fears that the arms and ammunition stolen from Aabpara Police Station can land into the hands of terrorists who can use them for incidents like the Mumbai terror attack.

Senior security experts and retired police officials believe that militants may try to replicate the Mumbai attacks with the sophisticated arms.

"The stolen weapons could go into the hands of terrorists who could use them against anyone they target. Law enforcement agencies need to recover these weapons as soon as possible because they are high in demand in such times," the Daily Times quoted Lt-Gen (retired) Tallat Masood, as saying.

Demanding a high level probe of the whole issue, Gen. (retired) Abbul Qayyum said that a probe should be carried out to investigate as to how the arms reached Lal Masjid and later stolen from the police station.

"The incident is shameful for us, definitely, the arms were stolen with the help of police and terrorists could get them," he added.

Charging the police of being involved in the case, former inspector general of police (IGP), Afzal Shigri said: "I am sure that arms have been stolen in connivance with the police. The incident showed inefficiency of the police station house officer (SHO)."

"Poor monitoring and inspection system of the police department should be improved to stop such incidents in the future," he added.

Over 100 assault rifles and other sophisticated weapons, seized during the Lal Masjid operation were reportedly found missing from the Aabpara police station store on December 22. (ANI)