CTD arrests 21, seizes explosives

Dept conducted 135 intelligence-based operations, in which 135 suspects were interrogated

LAHORE:

The Punjab Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) has arrested 21 suspected terrorists linked with banned outfits from various areas of the province.

According to a spokesman, the department conducted 135 intelligence-based operations, in which 135 suspects were interrogated and 21 arrested along with weapons, explosives and other prohibited material.

Among the arrested suspects are Suhail Ahmed, Shahid, Muhammad Amin, Gul Rehman, Muhammad Azad, Muhammad Ishaq, Muhammad Ejaz, Abdul Rauf, Javed Iqbal, Saifullah, Sher Muhammad, Muhammad Mudassar Shakeel, Muhammad Iqbal, Isa Khan, Shahbaz Ali, Muhammad Naeem, Umar Farooq, Muhammad Tahir, Muhammad Asif, Zakirullah and Raja Dawood.

The spokesman said the suspects had been arrested in Rawalpindi, Sahiwal, Gujranwala, Dera Ghazi Khan, Sargodha, Lahore, Bahawalpur, Layyah, Attock, Jhelum and Narowal. He said 5.118kgs of explosives, two hand grenades, two IEDs, 30 detonators, safety fuse wire, prima cord, a 30-bore pistol, a 9mm pistol with three bullets, 13 books of banned organisations, three magazines, 82 pamphlets, 316 stickers, 27 flags, a receipt book and Rs113,740 had been seized from the arrested men.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 13^th, 2023.