LAHORE: The Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) police on Saturday arrested three suspected terrorists belonging to banned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) near Minar-i-Pakistan (monument) in Lahore and thwarted their plans of targeting Shia processions, DawnNews reported.

DSP CIA Tariq Ilyas Kayani, in a press conference, revealed that the arrested were residents of Begum Pura area.

The DSP said that a special team of CIA conducted the raid in Minar-i-Pakistan area and recovered seven kilogram of explosive material, four hand grenades, a rifle, Rs 150,000 in cash and bullets from their possession.

The suspects are identified as Arshid Ali, Umer Zaib and Amjad, he said.

The arrests were made after suspects nabbed up earlier had identified the men, said Kayani, adding the arrested wanted to target Shia processions and Majalis during Muharram.