Punjab CTD arrests 34 terrorists in operations across province

LAHORE: The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) Punjab foiled a major terror plot by arresting 34 terrorists belonging to a banned organisation during operations in different areas of the province.

Two terrorists were arrested from Lahore along with explosives, who were affiliated with Fitna al-khawarij.

According to the spokesperson, the CTD Punjab conducted 415 intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in different districts of the province to effectively deal with terrorism, in which 420 suspects were questioned and 34 terrorists were arrested along with weapons, explosives and other prohibited materials.

The arrested terrorists include Muhammad Ashfaq, Ismail Khan, Naseerullah, Irshad, Saqib, Shoaib, Muhammad Usman, Muhammad Adeel, Muhammad Ki-Naam, Muhammad Suleman, Hamza Tariq, Qazi Khan, Sakhi Zaman, etc. He added that terrorists were affiliated with Fitna al-khawarij and other organisations.

He said terrorists were arrested in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Jhelum, Bahawalpur, Sahiwal, Narowal, Pakpattan, Bahawalnagar, Kasur, Nankana Sahib, etc.

Explosives 5,841 grams, detonators 19, safety fuse wire 51 feet, one hand-grenade, 75 pamphlets of banned organisation, mobile phone and cash have been recovered from possession of terrorists.

The spokesperson said 23 cases had been registered against the arrested terrorists. He said during the current month, 5,045 combing operations were conducted with the cooperation of local police and security agencies, 209,518 people were checked, 604 suspects were arrested, 561 FIRs were registered and 456 recoveries were made.