ISLAMABAD: The counter-terrorism department (CTD) in Pakistan’s Punjab province said on Saturday it successfully apprehended 13 individuals suspected to have ties with various proscribed organizations, including Daesh and Al-Qaeda, while trying to foil their planned scheme to target critical installations.
The arrested militants were captured as a result of 55 intelligence-based operations carried out across the province. A CTD spokesperson said in a statement a total of 58 individuals had been subjected to comprehensive interrogation.
Subsequently, 13 of them were taken into custody, following the confiscation of explosive materials and other contraband items found in their possession.
“The arrested terrorists … belong to banned organizations [including] the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Daesh, Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan, and Al-Qaeda,” the statement said.
“The apprehension of these alleged terrorists was carried out during intelligence-based operations in Lahore, Bahawalpur, Gujranwala, Mandi Bahauddin, Rawalpindi, Chiniot, Kasur, and Multan.”
The statement added the suspected militants were planning to carry out “terrorist activities” in Punjab and target important installations.
In response, the law enforcement agency took swift action and registered a total of 10 cases against the suspected militants in key cities. The suspects have also been taken to an undisclosed facility to ensure public safety and carry out the investigation process.
“The counter-terrorism department is diligently pursuing its goal of a safe Punjab and no stone will be left unturned in its efforts to bring terrorists and anti-state elements behind bars,” the statement quoted the spokesperson as saying.
Pakistan has experienced an upsurge in militant attacks, primarily targeting law enforcement and security personnel. The trend emerged after the TTP unilaterally called off a fragile ceasefire with the former administration of Shehbaz Sharif in November 2022.
Most of the attacks have taken place in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region and the southwestern Balochistan province due to their proximity to Afghanistan.
However, militant organizations operate with an outreach that extends to the entire country.
