In a major action prompted by security fears, the Counter-Terrorism Department has nabbed nine terrorists belonging to outlawed Al-Qaeda and Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) groups during an intelligence-based operation across Punjab, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
A CTD spokesman informed media on Saturday that the terrorists were apprehended from Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan and Multan.
The CTD spokesman confirmed that the arrested militants were belonged to the TTP and Al-Qaeda.
He further said that the CTD personnel also seized explosive material, detonators, fuse and Rs152,800 cash from the possession of the terrorists.
The CTD spokesman said the detained terrorists were identified as Naveed Khan, Khurram, Ghulam Hussain, Ghulam Abbas, Awais, Muhammad Said, Hussain, Ismael and Akhwan.
According to CTD officials, they have started interrogation of the terrorists after lodging seven cases against them.
He said that the terrorists had planned to sabotage across the province and wanted to target important installations and other religious places.
They said in total 153 combing operation were carried out during the current week, during which 7,751 people were questioned and dozens of suspects were arrested.
The officials claimed that the CTD is committed to make Punjab a safe province and vowed to uproot terrorism from the province.
The spokesman said the CTD is diligently pursuing its goal of a safe Punjab and no stone will be left unturned in its efforts to bring terrorists and anti-state elements behind bars.
Just two days ago, the CTD had arrested four alleged TTP terrorists of banned outfits during operations in different areas of Punjnab. According to the spokesman, the CTD Punjab conducted 27 intelligence based operations in different districts of the province to effectively deal with any untoward incident of terrorism, in which 27 suspected persons were interrogated and four alleged terrorists were arrested with weapons, explosives and other prohibited materials.
On June 18 last, the CTD had apprehended another nine alleged terrorists of banned outfits during operations in different areas of Punjab.
Reporter Irfan Malik