LAHORE – Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) Punjab arrested 23 terrorists during 158 intelligence-based operations (IBOs) conducted across the province while a suspected terrorist linked with Indian intelligence agency RAW was also arrested from Sahiwal. According to a CTD Punjab spokesperson,160 persons were questioned during the operations, while the arrested terrorists were identified as Hidayatullah, Muhammad Mujahid, Tasleem Hussain, Tariqullah, Tasadduq Hussain, Mir Laiq Khan, Muhammad Zaid, Muhammad Zahid,Rab Nawaz,Bakhtiar Ahmad, Abdul Rauf, Najibullah, Sanaullah, Khan Muhammad, Mehtab Ahmad, Muhammad Shahid, Ali Haider, Amirullah Khan, Fazal Abbas, Amir Rehman, Asif Khan, Muhammad Inam and Gulbib Khan. The suspects were arrested from Attock, Multan,Sahiwal, Jhelum, Faisalabad,Toba Tek Singh, Khushab, Mianwali, Bahawalpur,Gujranwala,Lahore, Sargodha, Rawalpindi and Bhakkar. The arrested terrorists were affiliated with RAW, Fitna al-Khawarij and other proscribed organisations, the spokesperson said. As many as 22 cases have been registered against the arrested suspects. The operations also led to the recovery of 5,140 grams of explosives, seven IEDs, 26 detonators, 48 feet of safety fuse wire, five prohibited magazines, 128 pamphlets,70 stickers, six mobile phones and Rs46,150 in cash. During the last four weeks, the CTD, in coordination with local police and other law-enforcement agencies, also conducted 4,601 combing operations across Punjab. During these operations, 166,553 people were checked, 402 suspects arrested, 396 cases registered and 365 recoveries made. The spokesperson added that the CTD Punjab was continuing operations against terrorists and anti-state elements under its objective of ensuring a secure Punjab. Citizens have been urged to report any suspicious activity or information related to terrorism to the CTD Punjab helpline at 0800-11111.
