The Punjab Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) announced on Saturday that it successfully apprehended five individuals suspected of having ties to banned extremist organizations in a series of operations across Sahiwal, Pakpattan, Bahawalpur, and Rawalpindi.
In a news statement, the CTD reported the completion of 179 intelligence-based operations, claiming to have thwarted a significant terrorist plot in the process.
During these operations, 179 individuals were subjected to interrogation, resulting in the arrest of five alleged terrorists associated with the proscribed groups Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan and Lashkar-i-Jhangvi.
According to the CTD, a substantial cache of illicit materials was seized from the possession of the suspects. This included 565 grams of explosives, two hand grenades, two improvised explosive devices, five detonators, 13 feet of safety fuse wire, 3.5 feet of primer cords, five pamphlets from banned organizations, 36 stickers, and Rs5,520 in currency.
The CTD asserted that the arrested individuals had intended to carry out acts of sabotage throughout the province, targeting crucial installations.
The CTD has registered five cases against the suspects and has reportedly relocated them to an undisclosed location.
The statement emphasized on the CTD’s commitment to creating a safer Punjab with a determination to apprehend and detain individuals identified as posing a threat to the state.
Throughout the week, a total of 769 combing operations were conducted across various parts of the province, leading to the arrest of 82 additional suspects, the statement added.
