CTD arrests 16 suspected militants in Punjab operations

Punjab’s Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) has arrested 16 suspected militants, including a suspected suicide bomber, during intelligence-based operations conducted across multiple districts of the province, a CTD spokesperson said on Tuesday.

The spokesperson said a total of 113 intelligence-based operations were carried out in areas including Khushab, Mianwali, Rawalpindi, Jhang, Bhakkar, Lahore, Faisalabad, Chakwal, Toba Tek Singh, Hafizabad and Gujranwala, targeting suspected militant networks and their facilitators.

In Jhang, officials said a suspected suicide bomber allegedly linked to a banned militant outfit was arrested along with a suicide vest and explosive materials. The CTD said the suspect was planning attacks on sensitive installations but was arrested before any incident could occur.

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In a separate operation in Sargodha, a suspect identified as Malkay Khan was detained over alleged involvement in attacks on security installations. Authorities said further investigation was underway to determine his links with other members of the network.

The spokesperson added that a range of explosive materials, detonators, safety fuse wires, prohibited stickers, banned literature and cash were recovered during the operations. In addition, 2,830 combing operations were conducted across the province, during which 95,755 individuals were questioned and 190 suspects were taken into custody.

The CTD said efforts against militant networks would continue across Punjab without interruption, as part of ongoing intelligence-led policing. Officials also referred to earlier operations in which militants were neutralised or arrested, underscoring sustained counterterrorism activity in the region.