The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) Punjab has successfully thwarted a major terror plot allegedly orchestrated by India's intelligence agency RAW, arresting three terrorists who were planning attacks in multiple cities across Punjab during the Eid holidays, 24NewsHD TV channel reported.
According to a statement released by the CTD spokesperson on Friday, the arrests took place in a high-stakes intelligence-based operation near Jhang Road, Pathan Colony, Faisalabad.
The captured terrorists were reportedly planning coordinated attacks on key sites in Lahore, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, and Pakpattan.
“These arrests have saved the cities from potential devastation during Eid ul Adha,” said the CTD spokesperson, highlighting the seriousness of the threat.
The suspects have been identified as Azam from Minchinabad, Amjad from Pakpattan, and Manzoor from Bahawalnagar.
All three were allegedly working for RAW through the extremist outfit Fitan-ul-Khawarij.
According to initial investigations, the militants had repeatedly crossed the border illegally and met with RAW operatives in Srinagar and Rajasthan.
During the operation, a large cache of explosives, detonators, and firearms was recovered from the suspects. The CTD stated that the terrorists were in the final stages of executing attacks at sensitive locations and had shared strategic maps of potential targets with Indian handlers via WhatsApp.
"The network was not only operational but had also completed detailed reconnaissance of their targets," the CTD confirmed, adding that this is further proof of India’s destabilizing role through covert support of terror activities inside Pakistan.
The CTD has filed a case against the arrested individuals in Faisalabad and launched an investigation to uncover the full scope of the network. Authorities believe the arrests could lead to further breakthroughs in dismantling foreign-backed terror cells operating within the country.