ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Punjab Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) said Monday it had arrested 12 “terrorists” in a series of intelligence-based operations across three major cities, adding the group was receiving guidance from India’s external intelligence agency.

A CTD spokesperson said the raids in Lahore, Faisalabad and Bahawalpur were carried out “with the support of agencies,” and that the detainees were “working under the direction of India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).”

The spokesperson said officers seized photographs, videos, weapons and explosive material, including images of “sensitive installations and places of worship.”

According to officials, the network was suspected of planning attacks intended to spread fear and fuel sectarian tensions, with places of worship among the potential targets.

Those arrested in Lahore were identified as Sukhdeep Singh, Azmat, Faizan, Nabil, Abrar, Usman and Sarfaraz. Danish was held in Faisalabad, while Rajab, Hashim, Saqib and Arif were detained in Bahawalpur.

The spokesperson said the arrests followed a probe into a social media account “reportedly being operated from India by RAW handlers” to coordinate the group’s activities.

The CTD reported recovering seven improvised explosive devices, detonators, safety fuse wire, explosives, mobile phones, weapons and cash. Authorities said criminal cases had been registered and investigations were ongoing.

The spokesperson added that the CTD “continues to conduct regular intelligence-driven actions across the province to prevent terrorism.”

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Pakistan arrests 12 ‘terrorists’ linked to India's intelligence agency