LAHORE: The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) of Punjab conducted Intelligence-Based Operations (IBOs) in various parts of the province in the last 10 days, resulting in the arrest of 17 militants associated with banned militant organizations.

According to a CTD spokesperson, 132 IBOs were carried out in Punjab, specifically targeting expected terrorism activities by defunct organisations, particularly against Chinese nationals and worship places during Muharram.

It has been revealed that the CTD Punjab has been leading 60 percent of the total operations in other provinces based on intelligence provided by its internal special wing. This highlights the need for reform or upgrading of counter-terrorism efforts in other provinces to effectively combat terrorism in their respective areas.

Recent activities have demonstrated the CTD Punjab’s effective intelligence gathering, as major terrorist plans in other provinces were foiled by prompt action from law enforcement agencies.

Special teams from the CTD were dispatched to other provinces to participate in these sensitive operations.

During the recent IBOs, 134 suspects were interrogated, leading to the arrest of 17 people belonging to various defunct organisations.

Among the arrested terrorists, two members of the banned TTP (Ghazi force) were arrested in Attock while planning to target Chinese nationals. Moreover, three banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants planning to attack worship places and a shrine in Dera Ghazi. Khan were arrested, along with a terrorist from JUA intending to target a worship place in Lahore. Two terrorists belonging to the banned Daesh were also arrested in Gujranwala and Multan, respectively.

Moreover, a terrorist from SSP/LeJ was arrested by the CTD team in Sargodah while distributing banned literature.

Furthermore, eight suspects were arrested for sharing hate material against specific sects on social media during Muharram.

The arrested suspects and militants included Muhammad Uzair, Hazrat Satan, Ramzan, Abdul Rehman, Muawya, Usama, all from the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, Adil, Abdul Rehman Ahmed, Usman, Hamza Mehmood and Ijazul Hassan, Shehryar from the banned Sipah Sahaba Pakistan, Muhammad Usman, Asif from Daish and Amjad Attari, Altaf Hussain and Chaudhry Adnan from other defunct organisations.

The CTD registered 14 FIRs against the arrested suspects and terrorists in police stations across Dera Ghazi Khan, Sargodha, Lahore, Multan, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi, Pakpatan, Okara, and Sahiwal.

During the arrests and interrogation, the CTD teams have recovered four hand grenades, 839 grams of explosive material, seven detonators, 11 feet of safety fuse, two 30-bore pistols, 10 live bullets, three magazines, pamphlets, and stickers of the defunct organizations.

In addition to the IBOs, the CTD conducted 485 combing operations in coordination with local law enforcement agencies and the police, questioning 21,008 individuals. As a result, 36 suspects were arrested from various parts of the province, and 29 FIRs were lodged against them.

Published in Dawn, July 29th, 2023