Security officials on Wednesday apprehended 26 suspects including 11 Afghan nationals in joint search operations in various cities, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) stated in a press release.

Punjab Rangers, police and intelligence officials conducted search operations in Islamabad and Rawalpindi as well as different cities of Punjab, including Dera Ghazi Khan, Lahore, Sialkot, Attock, Hassanabdal, Narowal, Shakargarh and Rajanpur.

Weapons, ammunition, improvised explosive devices as well as material required to build suicide jackets such as circuits were also confiscated during the operation.

The development is part of Operation Raddul Fasaad, which translates roughly to 'elimination of discord'.

Read more: Progress on NAP: 1,865 terrorists killed, over 5,000 arrested, says report

The Pakistan Army launched the operation in February 2017 following a spate of terror attacks that claimed more than 100 lives in Pakistan.

The military action is aimed at indiscriminately eliminating the "residual/latent threat of terrorism", consolidating the gains made in other military operations, and further ensuring the security of Pakistan's borders.

Pakistan Air Force, Pakistan Navy, Civil Armed Forces (CAF) and other security and law enforcing agencies (LEAs) will be part of the operation, which is intended to be a continuation of National Action Plan (NAP).

According to a recent progress report on NAP, shared by Minister of State for Interior Balighur with the Senate, so far some 1,865 suspected terrorists have killed and over 5,000 arrested.