ISLAMABAD: The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) of Punjab has announced the arrest of two key commanders of the outlawed Islamic State group (Daesh) and seven other terrorists in separate major operations.
The officials allege that the two detained Daesh individuals had been planning an attack on sensitive installations.
The two were apprehended during an intelligence-based operation in a border village of Lahore and were identified as Ameenullah and Waqar.
According to the officials, the detained suspects held crucial leadership positions within the Islamic State group and had already completed their planning for an attack on sensitive installations.
Additionally, authorities stated that seven more terrorists were apprehended during operations conducted in Sheikhupura, Faisalabad, Rahim Yar Khan, and Rawalpindi. These individuals were affiliated with the banned TTP.
Explosive materials, mobile phones, weapons, and cash were confiscated from the arrested terrorists, according to the authorities.
The authorities further revealed that terrorist networks had intended to carry out simultaneous terrorist attacks in all the sensitive cities. Officials have initiated an investigation by registering cases against the arrested terrorists.
Hanif Abbasi Exonerated In Ephedrine Case
Meanwhile, the verdict was delivered by a two-member bench, with Justice Aalia Naeem and Justice Asjad Javed Ghural announcing the decision.
In July 2018, Abbasi had been sentenced to 25 years in prison and fined Rs1 million after the trial court found him guilty of illegally selling 500kg of ephedrine to narcotics smugglers. Notably, this verdict had been issued just four days before the general election in 2018.
However, in April 2019, the Lahore High Court had suspended his sentence, effectively overturning his conviction. Abbasi had faced accusations of procuring 500 kg of ephedrine for his company, Gray Pharmaceutical, in 2010, but it was alleged that he had sold it to narcotics smugglers instead.
