The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) of Punjab has foiled a major terror plot by arresting 13 terrorists belonging to banned organizations while carrying out intelligence-based operations in various cities of the province, including Lahore.

According to a spokesman, the CTD Punjab conducted 83 intelligence-based operations in different districts of the province in which 83 suspects were interrogated and 13 alleged terrorists arrested with weapons, explosives and other prohibited materials.

During the operation in Lahore, a key commander of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and two of Daesh (Islamic State) were captured, officials claimed.

They further said that five terrorists of the outlawed TTP were arrested from Attock.

Among the arrested suspects were Khursheed, Abdul Rasheed, Irfanullah, Luqman Khan, Waheed Khan, Rizwanullah, Muhammad Amir, Sheikh Muhammad, Aamir Ismail, Muhammad Rehman, Wajid Ramzan, Al Hamuddin and Muhammad Osama allegedly belonging to banned organizations Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, ISIS, Tehreek-e-Jafariya Pakistan and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi.

He said the arrest of these terrorists was carried out during intelligence-based operations in Rawalpindi, Attock, Bahawalnagar, Lahore, Jhelum, Shekhiupura and Bahawalpur. The CTD officials said explosive material and equipment for making suicide jackets were recovered from the arrested terrorists.

The officials said cases have been registered against those arrested, and investigations started.

He said 4,999g explosive material, an IED bomb, 29 detonators, 49 feet of protective fuse wire, two feet of prima cords, a 30-bore pistol with seven bullets, an SMG rifle with 80 bullets, 42 pamphlets of the banned organization, 23 stickers, a mobile phone and Rs14,870 were recovered from the possession of the terrorists.

The spokesman said the terrorists had planned sabotage activities across the province and wanted to target important installations. The police registered eight cases against the terrorists and shifted them to an undisclosed location, he added.

He further said 625 combing operations were also conducted during this week with the help of local police and security agencies, 27,229 persons checked, 105 suspects arrested, 101 FIRs registered and 49 recoveries made during these operations.

Previously on September 9, the CTD had arrested two alleged terrorists during intelligence-based operations in Rawalpindi and Gujranwala.

The arrested terrorists include Isa, said to be a central member of Daesh or Islamic State (IS). Officials said Isa was arrested from Rawalpindi in an IBO.

A large quantity of explosive material, detonators, mobile phones and cash were seized from the arrested terrorists, they added.

They further said that cases had been registered against the terrorists, and an investigation was underway.

The CTD officials said that week, 369 combing operations were conducted wherein 52 suspects were arrested.

Operations in Islamabad, Peshawar

Over in Islamabad, the CTD and other sensitive law enforcement agencies arrested two terrorists near Khanna Pul in an operation following a tip-off.

The terrorists were identified as Moeez Ahmed and Mehran Younus. Explosive material, weapons and a motorcycle were seized from the arrested terrorists.

Both the arrested men were shifted to the area police station for interrogation.

In Peshawar, the anti-terrorism court handed over an allegedly important member of a banned organisation to the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) on a five-day remand.

Suspect Inzamam alias Toofani was presented before the ATC in Peshawar.

The investigation officer told the court that the suspect was present in Mardan to carry out a terrorist activity and a hand grenade and weapons were seized from his possession. He sought the suspect’s physical remand for further investigation.

The court sent the suspect to five-day physical remand to the CTD

Inzamam had been arrested from Mardan on Friday.