A spokesperson for the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) in Lahore announced on Friday that security personnel had captured 10 alleged terrorists in three different locations in Punjab.
In response to terrorism concerns, CTD Punjab conducted 132 covert operations in different cities, during which 10 people were arrested on suspicion of affiliations to terrorist groups such the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Daesh (ISIS), and others.
The CTD official claimed that individuals detained in Lahore, Multan, and DG Khan were connected to plots to target religious sites.
Two more people from Attock have been arrested on suspicion of planning an attack on Chinese nationals.
During the operations, the authorities have also found explosives, detonators, weapons, ammunition, maps of significant structures, and financial resources.
Azir, Adil, Ramzan, Abdul Rehman, Usman, Asif, Muawiya, Usama, Rehman, and Hazrat Shiyan are the names of those apprehended.
On Ashura, 4,698 police officers would be on duty for security.
Seven people have been arrested in a separate wave of arrests for allegedly spreading sectarian hatred online.
Amjad Attari, Altaf, Adnan, Shehryar, Ijaz, Hamza, and Usman have all been apprehended by CTD Sahiwal for their roles in this.
About 36 suspects were apprehended this week after 485 combing operations, and 21,008 persons have been questioned so far in connection with the investigations and interrogations that are still underway. These were CTD Punjab operations, and they took place in Lahore, Attock, Sargodha, Gujranwala, Multan, and DG Khan.
Heavy contingents of security soldiers have been deputed along procession routes as Ashura processions for Muharram 9 get begin around the country.
Authorities have shut down cell phone and public transportation service in certain high-risk regions.
According to reports, during Muharram 9 and 10 (today and tomorrow), mobile phone service would stay stopped or disrupted in 13 areas in Punjab that have been designated as sensitive. Cities like these may be found in Lahore, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi, Gujarat, Jhang, Bhakkar, Leh, Multan, Sahiwal, Chakwal, Rajanpur, Bahawalpur, and Rahim Yar Khan.
The security forces made a big breakthrough last month when they captured nine terrorists in three different locations in Punjab, foiling a massive terror plan against Eidul Azha celebrations.
According to Express News, officials in Multan, Bahawalpur, and DG Khan acted on secret information to arrest members of a banned extremist network, including a female activist with ties to Daesh.
