Lahore (Web Desk): The Punjab Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) on Friday said that at least 17 suspected terrorists arrested during intelligence-based operations (IBOs) across the province.
According to a statement issued by the department, the CTD officials conducted 132 IBOs in various parts of the province. During these operations, the CTD interrogated 134 suspects, resulting in the arrest of at least 17.
The statement added that two of the arrested suspects were associated with the TTP (Ghazi Force) and were detained in Attock, adding that they were “planning to target Chinese nationals”. “Three suspected TTP terrorists were arrested in Dera Ghazi Khan, adding that they were reportedly “planning to attack worship places,” it read.
The CTD also apprehended a terrorist associated with Jamaatul Ahrar who was “planning to target worship place in Lahore”.
The statement further said that three other suspects were detained in Gujranwala and Sargodha for possessing banned literature, while eight suspects were found to be sharing “hate material” targeting other sects on social media.
Out of the 17 terrorists who were arrested, six were affiliated with the TTP and six with the Sipah-i-Sahaba Pakistan. Meanwhile, two of the suspects were associated with Daesh, while the remaining three were members of other organisations.
According to the CTD, a total of 14 First Information Reports (FIRs) were registered against the arrested suspects in various police stations located in Sargodha, DG Khan, Multan, Gujranwala, Pakpattan, Okara, and Rawalpindi.
During the operation, the law enforcers seized a cache of weapons, including four hand grenades, seven detonators, 893g of explosives, two 30-bore pistols, three magazines associated with a banned outfit, pamphlets and stickers affiliated with the banned SSP, as well as two mobile phones and a sum of Rs17,780 in cash.