The Punjab Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) on Saturday said it had arrested 13 suspected terrorists during 58 intelligence-based operations conducted across multiple cities of the province amid heightened security concerns.
According to a CTD spokesperson, the raids were carried out in Lahore, Sahiwal, Multan, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Jhang, Chiniot and Mianwali.
In Lahore, officials arrested a suspected militant identified as Mukhtar, who was allegedly linked to the banned “Fitna al-Khawarij” network.
The spokesperson said the CTD recovered four improvised explosive devices (IEDs), eight detonators, 15 feet of safety fuse wire, banned literature, prohibited stickers and cash during the operations.
The arrested suspects were identified as Mukhtar Ahmed, Younus, Feroz Khan, Wali, Awais, Farman, Momin, Adnan, Raja Faisal, Raza Khan, Ghulam Shabbir, Rao Sajid and Mukhtar Shah.
Authorities claimed that the suspects were planning attacks on law enforcement installations.
The CTD further said that 1,487 combing and search operations were conducted across Punjab during the week, during which 168 suspects were detained and more than 53,000 individuals were questioned.
Reaffirming its resolve to maintain security in the province, the department said operations against terrorism would continue across Punjab.
