The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) Punjab has arrested 13 suspected militants during a large-scale security operation conducted across multiple cities in the province, officials said on Friday.
According to a CTD spokesperson, the department carried out 58 intelligence-based raids in Lahore, Sahiwal, Multan, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Jhang, Chiniot, and Mianwali following reports of potential terrorist activities.
During an operation in Lahore, CTD teams apprehended a high-risk suspect identified as Mukhtar, who was allegedly associated with a proscribed organisation. Authorities claimed that the suspect was part of a network planning attacks on law enforcement facilities.
Officials said the raids led to the recovery of explosive materials, including four improvised explosive devices (IEDs), detonators, safety fuse wire, banned literature, stickers, and cash believed to be linked to planned acts of terrorism.
The 13 arrested suspects were identified as Mukhtar Ahmed, Younus, Feroz Khan, Wali, Awais, Farman, Momin, Adnan, Raja Faisal, Raza Khan, Ghulam Shabbir, Rao Sajid, and Mukhtar Shah.
CTD officials stated that the operations were part of an ongoing strategy aimed at preventing terrorist incidents and dismantling militant networks operating within the province.
In addition to the targeted raids, the department conducted 1,487 combing operations during the week, detaining 168 individuals for questioning. More than 53,000 people were also screened as part of routine security checks.
The CTD spokesperson reaffirmed the department’s commitment to safeguarding public safety, adding that intelligence-led operations would continue across Punjab to counter security threats and maintain peace in the province.
