Daily Times

BAHAWALPUR – A terror bid was foiled by the Counter-Terrorism Department as they arrested five people from Bahawalpur early on Tuesday suspected of being associated to the Islamic State, a Middle East-based militant group.

Further investigations showed that the arrested suspects were affiliated with the global terror outfit. Different kinds of ammunition were also recovered including five bombs and a laptop, police said. According to CTD, the suspects were planning to target a railway bridge on the River Sutlej.

Intelligence Bureau Director General Aftab Sultan said that the Islamic State was an emerging threat in Pakistan because several other banned militant outfits appear to have an inclination towards it and specifically quoted the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi as such group.

He also said that a network of the Islamic State was captured in Pakistan and that the terrorist group also works in coordination with the Tehreek-e-Taliban. However, the government maintains its stand that the global terrorist organisation has no foothold or operations in the country.