ISLAMABAD: A seminary in a rural area in the capital was sealed after it was raided on Thursday by the Rawalpindi Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and the Islamabad police, police on Friday.

Based on a tip regarding the presence of suspicious elements, a well-equipped contingent of police personnel from the twin cities and other law enforcement authorities cordoned off the Madressah Farooqia in G-13, officials said.

The seminary was searched, but the search did not yield what the law enforcement authorities were looking for. Officials said the seminary was then vacated and sealed at the request of the CTD.

A police official told Dawn: “We have no idea whether the [suspicious element] was present there, left before the raid or will arrive there.” The official added that the seminary was sealed as a precaution before the armed forces’ parade on March 23.

Golra police Station House Officer (SHO) Inspector Mohammad Abbas confirmed that the raid took place, and was carried out by the Rawalpindi CTD. He said the religious seminary “was sealed on the orders of the area magistrate”. — Staff Reporter