LAHORE: The CounterTerrorism Department (CTD) claimed on Saturday to have arrested 15 militants belonging to a banned organisation during operationsin different areas ofthe province.

One extremely dangerous militant of FitnaulKhawarij arrested from Lahore along with explosives According to the spokesperson, the CTD Punjab conducted 143 intelligence-based operations in different districts of the province to effectively deal with any untoward incident of terrorism, in which 142 suspects were questioned and 15 militants were arrested along with arms, explosives and other prohibited materials.

The arrested militants include Mudassar Khan, Sajjad Ahmed, Ashiq, Ajmal Khan, Ijaz and Isa Khan.

The spokesman said these militants were affiliated with Fitna Khawarij and other organisations. He said they were arrested during intelligence-based operations in Lahore, Sialkot, Gujrat, Attock, Sargodha, Bahawalpur, Jhang, Mianwali, and Chiniot.

Some 430-gram explosives, six detonators, 18-foot safety fuse wire, one IED bomb, pamphlets of a banned organisation, magazine and Rs14,350 in cash have been recovered from their possession.

The spokesperson said the militants had planned to target important buildings in Lahore and other cities. He said 15 cases had been registered against them and further investigation was being carried out.