LAHORE: The Punjab Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) claimed on Saturday to have arrested nine alleged terrorists during multiple intelligence-based operations across the province.

A CTD spokesperson said 25 operations were conducted across Punjab, around 21,100 people were interrogated and nine were arrested.

Officials also seized two improvised explosive devices (IEDs), a large quantity of explosives, 13 detonators, protective fuse, weapons, bullets and cash from the arrested suspects during seven-week-long operations.

The arrested suspects have been identified as Azam Khan, Mansoor, Farooq, Shami Pervez, Muhammad Siddique, Abdul Manan, Ismail, Abdul Razzaque and Muhammad Bilal. The suspects were allegedly planning to target important personalities, government buildings and sensitive installations.

Earlier this week, the Ministry of Interior had issued an advisory to the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), warning the party of the threats of militant groups and ‘radicalised youth’ of the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) to the party chief Imran Khan and participants in his long march.

Published in Dawn, November 27th, 2022