CTD Arrests 21 Terrorists, Seizes Over Six Kilograms of Explosives

Punjab's Counter Terrorism Department has arrested 21 suspected terrorists and recovered 6.33 kilograms of explosives in a series of targeted operations, in what authorities are describing as a significant disruption of active militant networks in the province.

The CTD confirmed that the operations were conducted across multiple locations, with intelligence-driven raids leading to the detention of individuals suspected of involvement in planning or facilitating terrorist activities. The seized explosives, along with other material recovered during the raids, have been taken into custody for forensic analysis and investigation.

The scale of the haul and the number of arrests indicate the operations were coordinated and pre-planned, with security agencies tracking the network over a period of time before executing the strikes. Provincial security officials have described the arrests as a critical intervention that pre-empted potential attacks.

Counter-terrorism operations have intensified across Pakistan in recent months amid a broader national security push following a series of incidents in multiple provinces. Punjab's CTD has been at the forefront of domestic counter-extremism enforcement, operating in coordination with federal intelligence agencies.

The arrested suspects are expected to be subjected to extended interrogation under anti-terrorism statutes, with formal charges to be filed in the Anti-Terrorism Courts upon completion of investigations.