Punjab’s Counter Terrorism Department carried out a large crackdown against suspected militants across the province. During the operations, officials arrested 16 suspected terrorists, including a man believed to be a suicide bomber.
According to a CTD spokesperson, intelligence-based operations were conducted in many cities, including Khushab, Mianwali, Rawalpindi, Jhang, Bhakkar, Lahore, Faisalabad, Chakwal, Toba Tek Singh, Hafizabad, and Gujranwala.
Authorities said a “dangerous suicide bomber linked to Fitna al-Khawarij” was captured in Jhang. During the raid, officials recovered a suicide vest and other explosive materials from the suspect.
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Fitna al-Khawarij is the term used by the state for the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan group. In another operation in Sargodha, a suspect identified as Malkay Khan was arrested for allegedly planning attacks on security installations.
Officials said the suspects had planned to target police checkpoints in different areas. However, the planned attacks were stopped after timely intelligence and quick action by security forces.
During the operations, authorities recovered several dangerous items, including suicide jackets, detonators, safety fuse wires, banned literature, prohibited stickers, and cash.
The CTD also released the names of several suspects arrested during the operations. They included Moin Khan, Asil Din, Nasir Shah, Marjan, Malle Khan, Naseeb Khan, Ali Abdullah, Saifullah, Arif Khan, and Abrarul Haq.
Alongside the intelligence raids, the department conducted large-scale combing operations throughout the province. A total of 2,830 search activities were carried out in different districts.
During these operations, around 95,755 individuals were questioned by authorities, and 190 suspects were detained for further investigation. Officials said the crackdown against militant networks will continue without interruption as part of ongoing efforts to maintain security in Punjab.
Earlier this year, in January, six militants were killed during a CTD operation in Mianwali. During that incident, suspects opened fire on CTD personnel, and in the exchange of fire, several militants were killed by bullets fired by their own accomplices.
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Security forces recovered weapons from the scene, including a suicide jacket, three hand grenades, six submachine guns, and nearly 200 bullets.
Authorities have remained on high alert across the province since December last year, when Punjab Inspector General of Police Dr Usman Anwar ordered strict security measures and province-wide sweep operations.
He also directed officials to verify the records of people entering the province and to closely monitor banned organizations and possible militant networks. Officials say such preventive actions are necessary to stop attacks before they happen and to protect public safety.
