Punjab CTD says 13 suspected terrorists held in province-wide operations

LAHORE: The Punjab Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) said on Saturday it had arrested 13 suspected terrorists during intelligence-based operations carried out across the province over the past week, claiming the action had thwarted a major terror plan.

According to a CTD spokesperson, the department conducted 58 intelligence-based operations in multiple districts to prevent possible militant activity. The operations took place in Lahore, Jhang, Sahiwal, Jhelum, Chiniot, Mandi Bahauddin and Mianwali.

The spokesperson said 58 suspects were questioned during the operations, while 13 alleged terrorists were taken into custody. Arms, explosives and other prohibited material were also seized, according to the department.

Arrests and recoveries

The CTD said the detained suspects were linked to Fitna al Khawarij and other banned organisations. The term Fitna al Khawarij is used by the state for militants belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan.

Among those arrested, the department identified one suspect as Khawarij Mukhtar Ahmed, who was apprehended in Lahore. The CTD said a large quantity of explosives was recovered from him.

According to the spokesperson, the department recovered 2,010 grams of explosives, eight detonators, 15 feet of safety fuse wire and four improvised explosive devices. It also said pamphlets and magazines of banned organisations, prima cards, mobile phones and cash were seized from the suspects.

The spokesperson said the suspects were allegedly planning to target offices of law enforcement agencies. He added that 13 cases had been registered against the arrested men under terrorism charges and that further investigation was in progress.

Province-wide combing operations

Separately, the CTD spokesperson said the department, working with local police and other security agencies, carried out 1,487 combing operations across Punjab.

During those operations, 53,335 individuals were checked, 168 suspects were arrested, 153 first information reports were registered and 150 recoveries were made, according to the spokesperson.

Recent CTD actions

The latest announcement follows earlier CTD crackdowns in the province. On March 28, the department reported that 36 terrorists had been detained in a province-wide operation. In mid-February, the Punjab CTD said it had arrested 26 suspected terrorists across the province during the previous month.

The CTD’s latest statement adds to a series of operations the department has publicised in recent months as part of its campaign against suspected militants and banned outfits in Punjab.