Pakistan seizes schools in crackdown on militant groups

The Pakistani government has taken control of religious schools and detained more than 100 people in a crackdown on banned militant groups.

A Pakistani cameraman films a school and dispensary sealed by authorities beside a mosque belong to a banned religious group, in Islamabad, Pakistan. Source: AP

Pakistan intensified its action against Islamist militants, with the government announcing it had taken control of 182 religious schools and detained more than 100 people as part of its push against banned groups.

The move represents Pakistan's biggest move against banned organisations in years and appears to be targeting Islamic welfare organisations that the United States says are a front for militant activities.

Pakistan is facing pressure from global powers to act against groups carrying out attacks in India, including Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), which claimed responsibility for the February 14 attack that killed at least 40 Indian paramilitary police.

The escalating tension in the wake of the bombing led to a major confrontation between the nuclear-armed rivals, with both countries carrying out aerial bombing missions and even engaging in a brief dogfight that prompted fears of a war.

Pakistani school girls hold national flags as they shout anti-India slogans during a protest in Hyderabad, Pakistan. Source: EPA

Pakistani officials on Thursday said the crackdown is part of a long-planned drive and not a response to Indian anger over what New Delhi calls Islamabad's failure to rein in militant groups operating on Pakistani soil.

Previous large-scale crackdowns against anti-India militants have broadly been cosmetic, with the proscribed groups able to survive and continue operations.

The interior ministry said law enforcement agencies had placed 121 people in "preventive detention" as part of the crackdown that began this week.

A general view of closed government school in wake of border tension between India and Pakistan. Source: EPA