Regrouped LeJ planning terror strikes across country, warns Pak intelligence

Lahore, May 18 (ANI): Pakistan intelligence agencies have warned that the banned terror group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) has reorganised itself and may carry out attacks on prominent Shia leaders and top police officials across the country.

According to intelligence reports, the JeM has formed two new subgroups named- Jhangvi Fidai Force (JFF) and Sunni Fidai Force (SFF) to carry out terror attacks in various parts of the country.

The Interior Ministry's National Crisis Management Cell's (NCMC) report titled-"Information Report-104", said the extremists have adopted new methods of targeting people, which was evident from last month's suicide blast in a hospital in Quetta.

It may be noted that on April 16, a prominent Shia leader Arshad Zaidi was shot dead by some unidentified gunmen. The news about his death drew a huge crowd to the hospital where Zaidi's dead body was kept.

A suicide bomber had then exploded himself outside the emergency ward of the hospital, killing over 12 persons and injuring many others.

The LeJ had claimed responsibility for the attack.

The NCMC report, which has been forwarded to all concerned authorities, including the Punjab Home Department, Punjab Police and others, said such incidents indicated that sectarian sentiments were on the rise and the LeJ was spearheading the violent campaign.

"These indicators shows that the LeJ has reorganised itself in collaboration with anti-state elements," The Daily Times quoted the report, as saying.

"Increasing incidents of firing at police personnel in Lahore also appeared to speak of changing tactics of the terrorists," the report added.

It also asked the media and political leaders to be vigilant.

"It is also recommended that members of union of journalists, press clubs, private TV channels, local religious and political leadership and police stay away from crime scenes, keeping in mind the present security scenario," the report said. (ANI)