CTD arrests 18 suspects in Punjab IBOs

LAHORE: The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) on Saturday claimed to have arrested 18 individuals during intelligence-based operations (IBOs) conducted across the Punjab.

The arrested include Faiz, Azim, Tariq, Asif, and Irfan Ehsan Fateh.The CTD reported that all the suspects belonged to groups such as Fitna-al-Khawarij (Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan), the Islamic State group (also known as Daesh), and Al-Qaeda.In a statement, the CTD announced that 134 IBOs were carried out in various districts, including Lahore, Khushab, Gujranwala, Pakpattan, Bahawalnagar, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Sheikhupura, Mandi Bahauddin, and Mianwali.

These operations led to the arrest of 18 terrorists, the interrogation of 134 suspects, and the registration of 17 cases. The CTD also recovered a cache of weapons, including 5,429 grams of explosives, 18 detonators, a 53-foot safety fuse wire, an IED bomb, pistols with ammunition, 48 pamphlets from banned organisations, two mobile phones, and Rs28,310 in cash. The terrorists were allegedly planning attacks on important installations and locations within the province. In addition to the arrests, the CTD noted that, over the week, 2,716 combing operations were conducted in coordination with local police and security agencies.