Punjab counter-terrorism department arrests 33 suspected terrorists in month-long operations

The Punjab Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) has announced the arrest of 33 suspected terrorists in 475 intelligence-based operations (IBOs) conducted across the province over the past month.

The heightened counterterrorism efforts come in response to growing security concerns nationwide.

According to a press release from the CTD, 475 suspects were interrogated during the operations, leading to the seizure of explosives, weapons, and banned literature.

Pakistan has seen a rise in terrorist activity, with 59 attacks reported in August, compared to 38 in the previous month, according to data from the Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS), an Islamabad-based think tank.

“During these IBOs… 33 suspects belonging to defunct organisations were arrested,” the statement said.

It added that the IBOs were conducted in various Punjab districts to “effectively counter the menace of terrorism” and “to avert any untoward incident”.

According to a list provided by the CTD of the 33 netted suspects, eight of them — the highest number — had been arrested from Lahore.

The Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir assured that the war would continue until the elimination of all terrorists.

“To fight for the cause of Pakistan, the security forces, along with the law enforcement agencies, and the brave people of Pakistan — especially the brave people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan — have made unprecedented sacrifices, he said”