The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) of Punjab has arrested 26 terrorists across the province in a series of intelligence-based operations conducted over the past month, officials said on Saturday.

According to a CTD spokesperson, the operations targeted militants associated with Al Qaeda and the Fitna Al Khwarij group.

In Lahore, authorities apprehended one Al Qaeda operative, while four high-risk Fitna Al Khwarij militants were arrested in Sargodha.

Around 286 operations were carried out in Lahore, Gujranwala, Sahiwal, Khushab, Mianwali, Bhakkar, Faisalabad, Jhang, Chakwal, Rajanpur, Narowal, Pakpattan, and Sargodha.

The arrested individuals, including Irfan, Zamin Ali, Mujahid Ali, Faisal, Shiraz, Nematullah, Usama, Ghulam Yaseen, Yasir, and Imran, hailed from the tribal areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, officials said.

Authorities recovered explosives, three improvised explosive devices (IEDs), 19 detonators, fuse wires, pamphlets, and cash from their possession.

The CTD confirmed that the militants planned to carry out attacks at multiple locations to spread fear among the public.

“These coordinated intelligence-based operations demonstrate our ongoing commitment to prevent terrorist acts and maintain public safety across Punjab,” the spokesperson added.