Summary
- LAHORE: The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) Punjab has arrested 13 suspected terrorists during intelligence-based operations across several districts of the province, officials said on Friday, claiming that the arrests helped foil a major terrorist plot.
- According to a CTD spokesperson, the department carried out 98 intelligence-based operations in different parts of Punjab to prevent possible terrorist attacks and other security threats.
- The CTD said it would continue intelligence-based operations and coordinated security efforts against terrorist and other anti-state elements in the province.
LAHORE: The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) Punjab has arrested 13 suspected terrorists during intelligence-based operations across several districts of the province, officials said on Friday, claiming that the arrests helped foil a major terrorist plot.
According to a CTD spokesperson, the department carried out 98 intelligence-based operations in different parts of Punjab to prevent possible terrorist attacks and other security threats. During these operations, officials questioned 98 suspects and arrested 13 individuals allegedly linked to banned militant organisations.
The arrested suspects include Usman, Abdul Mannan, Wajid, Naeem, Osama, Hassan, Hassan Khan, Babar, Hasnain, Javed and Rahim, among others. The CTD said the suspects were associated with Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), referred to by authorities as Fitna al-Khawarij, and other proscribed organisations.
One of the arrested suspects, identified as Wajid, was apprehended in Pakpattan and was described by the CTD as an alleged operative of the Indian intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).
The suspects were arrested from Lahore, Sargodha, Gujrat, Pakpattan, Rawalpindi, Mandi Bahauddin, Faisalabad, Khushab, Chiniot and Khanewal.
During the operations, CTD teams recovered around 1,990 grams of explosive material, 12 detonators, 35 feet of safety fuse wire, three improvised explosive devices (IEDs), one hand grenade, banned organisation pamphlets, magazines, primer cards, mobile phones and cash from the suspects.
The CTD spokesperson said the arrested individuals allegedly planned to carry out terrorist activities in different areas and spread fear among the public. Police registered 13 separate cases against the suspects, while further investigation is underway to determine their alleged networks, activities and plans.
In addition to the intelligence-based operations, the CTD, in coordination with local police and other security agencies, conducted 1,590 combing operations across Punjab. Authorities checked 55,416 individuals during these operations, arrested 52 suspects, registered 45 FIRs and made 40 recoveries.
The CTD said it would continue intelligence-based operations and coordinated security efforts against terrorist and other anti-state elements in the province.
The department also urged citizens to share information about suspicious activities with the CTD through its helpline at 0800-11111.
We welcome your contributions! Submit your blogs, opinion pieces, press releases, news story pitches, and news features to opinion@minutemirror.com.pk and minutemirrormail@gmail.com
