DG KHAN/LAHORE: The Punjab Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) on Saturday successfully thwarted a terror plot in Taunsa Sharif and killed five heavily armed armed terrorists of Finta al-Hindustan in a a fierce gunfight.
“The terror plot was successfully thwarted in Taunsa Sharif, which is a ‘major counter-terrorism breakthrough,’ and the intelligence-based operation (IBO) was conducted near the Tri-Border Village,” the CTD stated in a statement.
A CTD spokesperson in the statement said that the operation was launched following “credible intelligence reports” about the presence of alleged armed terrorists in the area, although the operation aimed at apprehending them.
The press release detailed that the exchange of heavy fire continued for several hours, during which five terrorists were eliminated, while five others sustained injuries who managed to escape into the nearby forest.
“The CTD teams acted swiftly and professionally, preventing what could have been a catastrophic attack,” the statement added.
The government has designated all terrorist organisations in Balochistan as Fitna al-Hindustan and those carrying out anti-state activities in the former FATA and parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as Finta al-Khawarij to highlight and expose India’s alleged role in terrorism promotion and destabilization in Pakistan.
During the combing operation, the team recovered a cache of lethal weapons, including rifles, three improvised explosive devices, a large quantity of ammunition, hand grenades, and explosive material.
The statement highlighted that these recoveries underscored the severity of the threat and the scale of the planned attack.
It added that a search operation was currently underway to trace and apprehend the wounded terrorists who fled the scene. The press release said CTD teams established checkpoints near Romani, Taunsa, to secure the region and prevent further escape and the identification process of the deceased terrorists was ongoing.
It said four bodies were handed over to the hospital for legal formalities, while one was taken from the scene by the accomplices.
The CTD has been “continuously operating against the terrorists attacking police posts in the tri-border area of Dera Ghazi Khan”, the statement added.
A statement from Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi praised the CTD for its operation and said the terrorists were from the Fitna al Hindustan.
There has been a recent uptick in terror attacks in Pakistan over the past year. The CTD regularly carries out operations to prevent and investigate terrorism-related activities and gather intelligence.
In May, the Punjab CTD said it foiled a “major terror plot” by arresting 34 alleged terrorists of banned organisations during 415 intelligence-based operations across the province.
The previous month, it arrested 10 terrorists belonging to banned organisations during 189 operations in different areas of Punjab.
CTD neutralizes ‘highly-wanted terrorist’ in Bahawalpur
Separately, the Punjab CTD in a statement said that the department in a joint operation conducted along with the police in Bahawalpur, killed a terrorist belonging to Fitna al Hindustan.
“Acting a tip-off about the presence of the terrroist, the operation was carried out to arrest the “highly wanted terrorist,” it said.
“During the operation, one terrorist was killed in an exchange of fire while his three accomplices managed to escape,” the statement read.
It added, “The timely action of the CTD averted a major tragedy.”
According to a CTD spokesperson, the team recovered a large quantity of ammunition, hand grenades and sensitive material from the terrorists, which they planned to use for a major sabotage operation.
“The CTD registered a case under terrorism charges, murder and possession of explosives,” the statement said.
It further said that raids were being conducted to track down the escaped terrorists, adding that further investigation was underway.
Meanwhile in a post on her X account, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz lauded the Punjab CTD for the successful operation in Taunsa. “Salute to the valiant officials of CTD Punjab for crushing a deadly terrorist plot in the DG Khan border region. CTD responded to the Fitnal-ul-Khawarij with unwavering resolve, precision, and courage. Five terrorists neutralized, five grievously injured weapons and explosives seized, and peace secured. The message is clear: peace in Punjab & security and safety of citizens will be defended at all costs. #Safe Punjab.”
