The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) Punjab has arrested 12 terrorists linked with India’s intelligence agency RAW during intelligence-based operations conducted in Lahore, Faisalabad, and Bahawalpur. From their possessions, a large quantity of explosive materials and weapons were also recovered.
According to a CTD spokesperson, the arrested terrorists were planning attacks on sensitive installations and places of worship across various cities in Punjab. The operation was initiated after CTD investigators traced a Facebook ID, named Adil, reportedly being operated from India by RAW handlers.
The spokesperson stated that the terrorists had been recording videos of sensitive locations and places of worship and sending these videos to RAW operatives via WhatsApp.
Those arrested from Lahore include Sukhdeep Singh, Azmat, Faizan, Nabeel, Abrar, Sarfaraz, and Usman, while Danish was apprehended from Faisalabad. Sukhdeep Singh, a Lahore resident, was born Christian but had changed his religion some time ago.
Similarly, from Bahawalpur, the CTD arrested Rajab, Hashim, Saqib, and Arif. According to officials, all the detained suspects were receiving financial support from RAW.
The spokesman further said that CTD has recovered 7 IED bombs, 2 detonators, 102 feet of safety fuse wire, explosive material, weapons, mobile phones, and cash from them. The CTD has registered cases against the accused and further investigations are underway, he concluded.
Separately, despite adopting the latest techniques, dangerous declared criminals have wreaked havoc in Punjab, becoming a headache for the Punjab police. 24,031 criminals involved in murder, robbery, and other heinous crimes in 39 districts of Punjab, including Lahore, are still at large.
Even with a budget of billions of rupees for Punjab Police, the newly formed forces have not proven effective in arresting the accused.
According to details, the Lahore Police failed to arrest the highest number of 5,326 criminals. 3,664 absconders in the Sheikhupura region, 1,543 in the Gujranwala region, 1,574 in the Rawalpindi region, 1,021 in the Sargodha region, 1,090 in the Faisalabad region, 2,176 in the Multan region, 1,763 in the Sahiwal region, 2,078 in the D.G. Khan region, 1,940 in the Bahawalpur region, and 1,256 in the Gujarat region could not be apprehended by the Punjab Police.
Moreover, to intensify the operations against criminals, 1,000 more officials and personnel will be recruited in CCD.
According to sources, the Additional IGC, CCD, informed the IG Punjab to increase the strength of the department. The IG Punjab sent a summary to the government for the recruitment of 1,000 personnel.
An advertisement for new recruitment in CCD will be issued soon after the government approves the recruitment summary.