The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), in its intelligence-based operations carried out in different Punjab cities, arrested nine militants allegedly belonging to Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), including the group’s two financiers from Lahore, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Monday.

According to the spokesman for the CTD, besides Lahore, the operations were carried out in Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Sialkot and Hafizabad.

The spokesman further said that explosives, two hand grenades, cellphones and cash were also recovered from the possession of militants.  

Giving further details, he said that those taken into custody were identified as Abdur Rehman, Abdul Waheed, Azeem, Zaman, Sufyan, Siddique, Sajjad Jat, Imran Ali and Umar Farooq.

The spokesman claimed that the militants were planning attacks in different cities of the province.

Besides that, he elaborated, 47 suspected persons were also arrested in 314 combing operations in Punjab.

Reporter: Abid Chaudhry