CTD arrests 89 terrorists in Punjab during 3-month intelligence operations

(Web Desk): The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) has announced that 89 terrorists have been arrested across Punjab during 940 intelligence-based operations over the past three months.

Pakistan has seen a rise in terrorist attacks over the past year. The CTD regularly conducts operations to prevent terrorist activities, investigate threats, and collect intelligence.

According to a statement issued by the CTD, among the arrested individuals 14 terrorists were captured in Lahore, 14 in Rawalpindi, 7 each in Faisalabad and Bahawalpur, 6 each in Jhang and Sargodha, 5 in Sahiwal, 4 in Gujranwala, and 3 each in Bahawalnagar and Gujrat.

The statement further revealed that 55 of the arrested terrorists were affiliated with the banned outfit Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP – referred to as ‘Fitna al-Khawarij’), 5 were linked to ISIS, and 2 each were associated with Al-Qaeda, Hizb ut-Tahrir, and Jeay Sindh.

During the raids, CTD recovered 20.2 kg of explosives, 85 detonators, 183 feet of safety fuse wire, banned organization pamphlets and magazines, detonating cords, mobile phones, and cash.

The CTD stated that 87 FIRs have been registered against the arrested suspects and investigations are ongoing.

According to the statement, the arrested individuals were planning attacks on key buildings, but CTD Punjab remains vigilant and committed to a safer Punjab. "We will leave no stone unturned to bring terrorists and anti-state elements to justice," the statement said.

Additionally, the statement noted that during this week’s security operations, local police and security forces carried out 13,521 combing operations, checked 552,692 individuals, arrested 1,131 suspects, registered 1,061 FIRs, and made 906 recoveries.

In a separate incident this week, CTD Khyber Pakhtunkhwa killed three terrorists—including one Afghan national—in an intelligence-based operation in Khyber district.

Two of the slain militants were involved in a suicide attack in Peshawar, in which a sub-inspector and a constable were martyred.

According to the CTD, the operation was carried out in the Ali Masjid area after intelligence reports indicated the presence of Islamic State Khorasan (IS-K) commander Fazal Noor and his associates.