According to a CTD spokesperson, the suspects were detained during intelligence-based operations, which also led to the recovery of a large cache of weapons, explosives, detonators, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), cash, mobile phones and 102 feet of safety fuse wire.

In total, seven IEDs and two detonators were seized.

The spokesperson said that photos, videos and location data of “sensitive targets”, including security institutions, a seminary and a local festival, were also recovered, which would possibly be used for planning attacks.

Those arrested in Lahore were identified as Sukh Deep Singh, Azmat, Faizan, Nabeel, Abrar, Usman and Sarfaraz, while a suspect named Danish was taken into custody from Faisalabad.

In Bahawalpur, the CTD detained Rajab, Hashim, Saqib and Arif.

The department said that Sukh Deep Singh, originally a Christian by birth, had recently converted to another faith.

All suspects were receiving significant funding from RAW, it added.

According to the CTD, crucial leads came from a Facebook ID named “Adil”, reportedly operated from India and believed to be facilitating the network.

The spokesperson added that the arrested militants planned to spread fear in Punjab and incite religious hatred.

Cases have been registered against the detained terrorists, who were members of “Fitna Al Hindustan”, and further investigation is underway.