QUETTA: The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) carried out multiple intelligence-based operations in the outskirts of Quetta, including Panjpai and Nohsar areas, killing nine militants.
Four CTD personnel were martyred and six others injured during intense exchanges of fire, officials said on Saturday.
According to a CTD spokesperson, the operations were launched on intelligence reports about militant presence in the area. Heavy firing was reported during the encounters.
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi paid tribute to the martyred CTD personnel, stating that the brave officers sacrificed their lives to thwart the “evil designs” of terrorists and that their sacrifices would always be remembered.
In a separate development, CTD conducted 58 intelligence-based operations across various districts of Punjab, resulting in the arrest of 13 terrorists, including a highly dangerous militant linked to a proscribed network.
Officials said the operations were carried out in Lahore, Sahiwal, Multan, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Jhang, Chiniot, and Mianwali. A large quantity of explosives, including improvised explosive devices (IEDs), detonators, safety fuses, and prohibited material, was recovered.
The spokesperson further said that 1,487 combing operations were conducted during the week, during which over 53,000 individuals were questioned and 168 suspects were detained as part of ongoing counterterrorism efforts.
