Counter Terrorism Department Foils Major Terror Plot in Punjab

The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) in Punjab has successfully disrupted a significant terror conspiracy during a recent operation named “Operation Yalghar.” Six individuals suspected of terrorism, allegedly connected to India’s Research & Analysis Wing (RAW), were apprehended from various districts throughout the province.

During a press conference held in Lahore, Punjab’s Additional Inspector General (AIG) of Operations Shehzada Sultan, accompanied by CTD’s SSP Operations Waqar Azim, revealed that authorities arrested two individuals, Aslam and Akbar Ali, in Bahawalnagar. These individuals were reportedly acquiring explosives directly from India’s Border Security Force (BSF).

According to officials, the apprehended individuals maintained contact with Indian intelligence officers, identified as RAW’s Major Ravindra Rathore and Inspector Singh. The CTD’s actions underscore concerns regarding alleged Indian subversive activities in the region and its purported involvement in orchestrating and supporting terrorist acts within Pakistan.

Last month, Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry stated that India has been implicated in state-sponsored terrorism for the past two decades. His statement followed a media briefing in response to the school bus bombing in Balochistan’s Khuzdar.

During the press conference, CTD officials disclosed that the arrested suspects were planning attacks on a mosque and the railway station in Bahawalpur. Authorities seized explosives, detonators, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), safety fuses, and confidential maps from the suspects, who allegedly confessed to receiving instructions for the planned attacks.

Furthermore, three additional individuals suspected of being RAW agents—Azam alias Jaji, Manzoor alias Qari (both from Bahawalnagar), and Amjad from Pakpattan—were apprehended in Toba Tek Singh. Zulfiqar, believed to be a key facilitator involved in funding these activities from Dubai, was arrested in Bahawalpur.

Reportedly, CTD Punjab has also obtained audio recordings of conversations between the suspects and Indian intelligence officers and terrorists. These recordings allegedly contain discussions about targeted assassinations and attacks on sensitive locations.

AIG Sultan emphasized to reporters that India is allegedly attempting to destabilize Pakistan through terrorism. He asserted that security agencies are prepared to counter these efforts and assured that the nation’s security would not be compromised.

This crackdown occurs amidst a slight increase in militant incidents in May 2024. Data from the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) in Islamabad indicates a 5% rise in attacks compared to April.

According to PICSS’s latest security assessment, May saw 85 militant attacks, a slight increase from 81 in April. These attacks resulted in 113 fatalities, including 52 security personnel, 46 civilians, 11 militants, and four members of peace committees. Additionally, 182 individuals were injured, including 130 civilians, 47 security personnel, four militants, and one peace committee member.

Civilian injuries saw a significant surge of 145%, rising from 53 in April to 130 in May, highlighting the increasing impact of militant operations on the general population. Conversely, injuries among security personnel decreased by 20%, from 59 to 47.

In total, militant attacks and security operations in May resulted in 172 casualties, including 57 security personnel, 65 militants, 46 civilians, and four peace committee members. A total of 194 individuals were injured, comprising 130 civilians, 54 security personnel, nine militants, and one peace committee member. Militants reportedly abducted at least 19 individuals during the month.

A key aspect of the May security situation was a 78% increase in the deaths of security personnel, in contrast to a 68% decrease in militant deaths compared to April. Notably, May was the first month since October 2023 in which militant fatalities were recorded in double digits (65), a substantial decrease from 203 in April.