CTD arrests 10 on terror charges in Punjab

The security forces apprehended 10 suspected terrorists across three cities in Punjab, the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) spokesperson confirmed on Friday.

CTD Punjab conducted 132 secret operations in various cities in view of terrorism concerns, during which 10 individuals have been arrested for suspicions of connections with banned outfits like Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Daesh (ISIS) and others.

According to the CTD spokesperson, those arrested in Lahore, Multan and DG Khan had been involved in planning attacks on shrines and other places of worship.

Another two have been arrested from Attock for plotting an attack targeting Chinese citizens.

The authorities have also recovered explosives, detonators, arms, bullets, maps of important buildings and cash during the operations.

Those arrested have been identified as Azir, Adil, Ramzan, Abdul Rehman, Usman, Asif, Muawiya, Usama, Rehman and Hazrat Shiyan.

Read 4,698 police personnel to perform security duty on Ashura

In a separate series of arrests, at least seven have been taken into custody for sharing hateful content against sectarian groups on social media.

In this regard, CTD Sahiwal has arrested Amjad Attari, Altaf, Adnan, Shehryar, Ijaz, Hamza and Usman.

Roughly 36 suspects were arrested during 485 combing operations this week, while 21,008 people were questioned as part of ongoing investigations and interrogations. CTD Punjab conducted these operations in Lahore, Attock, Sargodha, Gujranwala, Multan and DG Khan.

The operations come as Ashura processions for Muharram 9 are underway across the country, with heavy contingents of security troops deputed along procession routes.

Mobile phones and transport services have been suspended in various areas marked sensitive by the relevant authorities.

In Punjab, 13 districts have reportedly been declared sensitive with mobile phone services to remain suspended or affected on Muharram 9 and 10 (tomorrow). These include Lahore, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi, Gujarat, Jhang, Bhakkar, Leh, Multan, Sahiwal, Chakwal, Rajanpur, Bahawalpur and Rahim Yar Khan.

Last month, in a major breakthrough, the security forces apprehended nine terrorists across three cities in Punjab, effectively thwarting a large-scale terror plot targeting Eidul Azha festivities.

Acting on undisclosed intelligence, authorities had successfully carried out operations in Multan, Bahawalpur, and DG Khan, resulting in the arrest of individuals linked to a banned extremist network, including a female activist associated with Daesh, Express News reported.