Pakistan arrests 16 suspected terrorists in Punjab province

The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) says it has arrested 16 suspected militants, including a suicide bomber, during a series of intelligence-based operations carried out across multiple cities in Pakistan’s Punjab province on April 14.

According to a CTD spokesperson, security forces conducted 113 separate intelligence-based operations across the region, including in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Khushab, Mianwali, Jhang, Bhakkar, Faisalabad, Chakwal, Toba Tek Singh, Hafizabad and Gujranwala, Caliber.Az reports via Pakistani media. 

Officials said a “dangerous suicide bomber” linked to the banned militant group referred to as “Fitna al-Khawarij” was arrested in Jhang. Authorities identified the term as a state designation for the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. A suicide vest and explosive materials were recovered during the arrest.

In a separate operation in Sargodha, another suspect, identified as Malkay Khan, was detained over alleged involvement in attacks on security installations.

The CTD said the suspects had been planning attacks on police checkpoints, but that the plots were “foiled through timely action.” Officials added that a range of explosive materials was seized, including suicide jackets, detonators, safety fuse wires, prohibited stickers, banned literature and cash.

The arrested individuals have been identified as multiple suspects, including Moin Khan, Asil Din, Nasir Shah, Marjan, Malle Khan, Naseeb Khan, Ali Abdullah, Saifullah, Arif Khan and Abrar-ul-Haq, among others, according to the CTD.

By Sabina Mammadli