LAHORE: Punjab’s Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) arrested nine terrorists during 71 intelligence-based operations (IBOs) conducted across various cities in the province, according to a statement issued on Saturday.
The CTD, which operates under the provincial police, plays a crucial role in combating terrorism and maintaining internal security in the country. The department regularly carries out operations aimed at preventing terrorism-related activities and gathering vital intelligence.
A CTD Punjab spokesperson confirmed that the recent operations were conducted in cities including Lahore, Mianwali, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Sahiwal, Rawalpindi, and Faisalabad, leading to the arrest of nine terrorists. Among them was a member of Fitna-ul-Khawarij arrested in Mianwali, and another from the Islamic State (IS) apprehended in Faisalabad.
In July, the government officially designated the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) as Fitna al Khawarij, instructing all institutions to refer to its members as “Khariji” (outcasts).
During the operations, CTD officers seized explosives, hand grenades, detonators, arms, ammunition, mobile phones, and cash. The arrested terrorists were identified as Abdul Kareem, Usman, Imran Siddiqui, Shani, Shaukat, Ahmed Khan, Shiraz Mahmood, Saeed ur Rehman, and Mustajab.
The CTD stated that the suspects aimed to spread terror and panic in various parts of the province. Additionally, 978 combing operations were carried out this week, resulting in the arrest of 78 suspects and questioning of 34,694 individuals.
A day earlier, CTD Punjab killed two terrorists during an operation in Dera Ghazi Khan.
The recent arrests and operations come amid a rise in terrorist attacks in Pakistan, with 59 attacks recorded in August compared to 38 in July, according to the Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS).
