Pakistan Cracks Down on Militants

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, January 15, 2002

Pakistan Cracks Down on Militants

Pakistani police brought in hundreds more Islamic militants for questioning Monday as part of a crackdown that included anti-India extremists.

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Pakistani police brought in hundreds more Islamic militants for questioning Monday as part of a crackdown that included anti-India extremists.

Hopes that the standoff could be resolved had risen after a speech Saturday by Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf banning five militant Muslim organizations, including two accused of terrorism in Indian-controlled Kashmir, and placing other curbs on Islamic extremists.

The speech was coupled with a nationwide police sweep that by Monday had led to the detention of nearly 1,500 extremists, the Interior Ministry said. Most were expected to be released after questioning.

The crackdown on extremists began Saturday. Quereshi said Monday that the operation was close to finished, but police sources said it could continue for several more days.

Musharraf's ban on extremist groups does not extend to all Kashmir separatist organizations. More than a dozen are allied in an umbrella organization, the United Jihad Council, which said Sunday that the "armed freedom struggle" would continue.

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