LAHORE: The Punjab Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) claim to have arrested five suspects belonging to banned terrorist organisations.

A spokesperson for the CTD said the arrests came during various intelligence-based operations (IBOs) carried out across Punjab. He said 24 suspects were interrogated and five of them had been arrested.

He said Abdul Wajid was held in Multan. He belonged to the defunct Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the CTD recovered from him explosive material he wanted to use for terrorist activity besides two hand grenades, a pouch belt and a mobile phone.

Tabbasum Sagheer was arrested in Bahawalpur and he belonged to the defunct ISIS. The CTD team recovered from him explosive material and a hand grenade besides a pistol.

The spokesperson said Muhammad Azeem who belonged to defunct Lashkar-i-Jhangvi was arrested in Vehari. The CTD recovered from him banned hate material. Ahmad Hassan was held in Khanewal, he said, adding that the suspect belonged to the TTP.

He said Syed Tanzeel ur Rehman who belonged to the defunct Hizb Ut Tehrir (HuT) was arrested in Lahore. He was distributing hate material and collecting fund for his organisation.

Published in Dawn, April 11th, 2022