ISF Members Injured in Arsal Grenade Attack, Fugitive Escapes

Three Internal Security Forces members were injured during a morning raid carried out in search for a wanted criminal in the northeastern town of Arsal, the ISF announced Friday.

The ISF identified the 28-year-old suspect with his initials as M.Kh., saying he attacked the police unit with three hand grenades and opened fire on them, wounding two ISF officers and one policeman.

But the state-run National News Agency identified him as Mustafa al-Hujairi, who is wanted for involvement in shootings, drug trafficking, robbery and kidnappings.

The unit found huge amounts of drugs at his house, in addition to guns, a hand grenade, military equipment and a night-vision goggle, the ISF said.

It added that his father was arrested and that efforts are underway to apprehend him.

Later on Friday, the ISF issued a statement saying 24 fugitives were arrested Thursday in the Bekaa region, including “one of the most dangerous chiefs of theft gangs in the Bekaa and his partner.”

It identified them as 28-year-old T. A. and 19-year-old B. M., both of whom are Lebanese.

The detained men were wanted on various charges, including drug offenses, theft, forgery, shooting and the impersonation of security personnel, the ISF added.

G.K./Y.R.

H.K.