LAHORE/DERA GH­AZI KHAN: The Cou­nter­­-T­errorism Depa­rtm­ent (CTD) on Satu­rday claimed to have killed six suspected terrorists during two operations in Punjab, successfully thwarting a major terror plot.

Amid a recent surge in terror incidents across the country, the CTD has been actively conducting operations to preempt attacks, inves­­tigate terrorism-related activities and gather intelligence.

According to a CTD spokesperson, the latest intelligence-based operation was launched near a village in tehsil Taunsa of Dera Ghazi Khan district following reports of the presence of armed militants in the area. He said the operation aimed to arrest the suspects, but they opened fire on the CTD team, prompting retaliatory fire. A fierce exchange ensued, lasting several hours, during which five militants belonging to the Fitna Al Khawarij group — a term used by the state for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan — were killed. Five others sustained injuries and managed to escape into the nearby forest.

“The CTD team acted swiftly and professionally, preventing what could have been a catastrophic attack,” the spokesperson added.

During a subsequent combing operation, the CTD personnel recovered a cache of lethal weapons, including rifles, three improvised explosive devices (IEDs), a large quantity of ammunition, hand grenades and explosive material.

The spokesperson said that the recoveries underscored the severity of the threat and the scale of the planned attack. A search operation was underway to track down and apprehend the injured militants who had fled.

To secure the area and prevent further escape, the CTD established checkpoints near the Romani area in Taunsa. The identification process of the deceased suspects was ongoing, spokesperson said.

Four bodies were shifted to a hospital for legal formalities, while one was reportedly taken away by the fleeing accomplices.

The CTD has been conducting ongoing operations against terrorists who have been targeting police posts in the tri-border region of Dera Ghazi Khan, the official added.

In another operation in Bahawalpur, the Punjab CTD and police conducted a joint raid and killed a suspected terrorist linked to the Fitna Al Khawarij group.

According to a CTD statement, the operation was launched following intelligence about the presence of a “highly wanted terrorist”. During the raid, one militant was killed in an exchange of fire, while his three accomplices escaped.

“The timely action of the CTD averted a major tragedy,” the statement said.

A large quantity of ammunition, hand grenades and sensitive materials — intended for a sabotage operation — were recovered during the raid. A case has been registered under charges of terrorism, murder and possession of explosives.

Raids were continuing to apprehend the escaped militants, and further investigations were underway.

Published in Dawn, July 6th, 2025