LAHORE: Punjab police’s counter-terrorism department (CTD) has arrested 49 militants across the province in the past month. A major terror plan was foiled, the CTD said on Saturday.
The arrests were made during 425 intelligence-based operations. Weapons, explosives and other prohibited materials were seized, a CTD spokesperson said.
Forty-four cases were registered against the suspects. Further investigations are underway.
Security measures in Punjab have been tightened amid a rise in militant attacks in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). The province borders Punjab and has seen frequent attacks blamed mainly on the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Authorities have cited concerns over a possible spillover of militants into Pakistan’s most populous province.
The CTD also carried out 6,131 combing operations during the period. A total of 599 suspects were detained. About 570 police reports were registered, leading to 477 recoveries, the statement said.
Militancy-related deaths rose sharply in 2025. Data released last month by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) showed a 73 percent increase to 3,387 deaths. The toll included militants, security personnel, civilians and members of pro-government peace committees.
Punjab has expanded counterterrorism efforts in recent months. A mobile counterterrorism unit was launched in November to monitor operations in real time. In September, the province announced the arrest of 90 suspected militants in a three-month sweep.
Pakistan has faced a renewed surge in militancy since a truce with the Pakistani Taliban collapsed in November 2022. A long-running separatist insurgency continues in southwestern Balochistan.
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Islamabad has accused Afghanistan of allowing its territory to be used for attacks and has alleged Indian backing for militant groups. Both Kabul and New Delhi have denied the claims.
