Punjab CTD says 117 intelligence-based operations led to 18 arrests and the recovery of explosives, detonators, weapons and banned literature.
LAHORE: Punjab’s Counter Terrorism Department arrested 18 suspected militants affiliated with various banned organisations during intelligence-based operations across several districts of the province, officials said Friday.
According to a CTD spokesperson, 117 intelligence-based operations were conducted to prevent possible terrorist activities and maintain law and order. During the operations, 117 individuals were questioned and 18 suspects were taken into custody.
The arrested suspects were identified as Hassan Abbas Shah, Muhammad Hanif, Samiullah alias Talib Jan, Muhammad Hasnain, Hafiz Muhammad Abdul Latif, Attaullah, Faizullah, Muhammad Shehzad alias Pama, Muhammad Bilal, Muhammad Anas, Tahir, Waqar Ahmed, Muhammad Ahsan, Muhammad Farman, Muhammad Nauman, Umar Farooq, Abdul Wahab and Shaukat Ali.
The suspects were reportedly arrested in Faisalabad, Sialkot, Sargodha, Sahiwal, Hafizabad, Gujranwala, Bhakkar, Lahore and Multan.
The CTD said its teams recovered 3.185 kilograms of explosive material, eight detonators, safety fuses and primer cord. Four pistols along with 21 rounds were also seized, in addition to banned books, prohibited magazines, pamphlets and stickers.
Officials said seven mobile phones and Rs42,740 in cash were recovered from the suspects.
According to the CTD, the suspects were allegedly involved in activities aimed at creating fear among the public and disrupting peace and security. Legal proceedings have been initiated, while further investigations are underway to determine their alleged links and activities.
The spokesperson said that over the past two weeks, the CTD, local police and other law-enforcement agencies conducted 3,357 combing operations across Punjab. More than 121,000 people were checked during the operations, resulting in 274 arrests, 263 registered cases and 244 recoveries of various kinds.
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