Punjab CTD Arrests 26 Suspected Terrorists in Province-Wide Crackdown, Foiling Major Plot

Pakistan’s Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) in Punjab has announced the arrest of 26 suspected terrorists linked to banned militant groups during a series of intelligence-based operations (IBOs) conducted across the province over the past month.

The operations, which involved interrogating 286 suspects, targeted multiple districts including Lahore, Gujranwala, Sahiwal, Khushab, Mianwali, Bhakkar, Faisalabad, Jhang, Chakwal, Rajanpur, Narowal, Pakpattan, and Sargodha.

Authorities recovered arms, explosives, including three improvised explosive devices (IEDs), 19 detonators, and 34 feet of fuse wire, along with prohibited materials, pamphlets, and cash from the suspects.

Notably, one alleged militant affiliated with Al-Qaeda was apprehended in Lahore, while four dangerous terrorists linked to Fitna al-Khawarij were arrested in Sargodha.

Officials stated that the arrested individuals, whose affiliations trace back to tribal areas, were part of a larger scheme aimed at spreading fear among the public through planned terror activities. The crackdown successfully thwarted what CTD described as a major terror plot.

The suspects have been identified in official statements as including Irfan, Zaman Ali, Mujahid Ali, Faisal, Shiraz, Neematullah, Osama, Ghulam Yasin, Yasir, and others.

This development comes amid heightened security concerns in Punjab, where CTD operations continue to target remnants of militant networks operating within urban and rural areas. Further investigations are underway, with the arrested individuals remanded for questioning.

The CTD Punjab spokesperson emphasized the department’s ongoing commitment to preempting threats and ensuring public safety across the province.