LAHORE - As the hunt to capture the militants and neutralise their threat goes on in Punjab, a new series of intelligence-led anti-terror operations are on the cards to take out the remaining terrorists, it has been learnt reliably.
Security establishment sources privy to the developments confided to The Nation on Tuesday that intelligence-led anti-terror operations started in Punjab in February this year to achieve the targets of the National Action Plan (NAP).
They said more than one dozen operations of this nature had been conducted in the province so far which neutralised enemy threat and took out the key members of outlawed TTP and Al-Qaeda in Punjab and more action was in the offing in this regard.
When asked about the number of new series of intelligence-led anti-terror operations, they said the action would be less intensive than that being taken in Karachi, provincial capital of Sindh. The new series of these operations in the light of the intelligence information was not expected to be on large-scale.
They said more than four dozen major intelligence-led anti-terror operations were conducted across the country in February this year of which more than one dozen conducted in Punjab.
Explaining the difference between intelligence-led and intelligence-based anti-terror operations, they said the intelligence-led operations were carried out by special sections of the state’s premier intelligence services to take out the high-profile terrorists, as the anti-terror apparatus of the civilian security services had yet to acquire the capabilities to launch operations against the high-value targets keeping in view their fighting skills.
On the other hand, the intelligence-based operations cover all other categories of anti-terror actions carried out by the civilian security apparatus, like counter-terrorism departments of the police, Rangers and others. These kind of operations are carried out following the intelligence leads of military and civilian intelligence services.
Punjab Home Minister, Colonel (R) Shuja Khanzada, when contacted, confirmed the intelligence-led anti-terror operations in the province but politely declined to share the number of operations and details of the new series.
Khanzada said, “Scores of successful intelligence-led and intelligence-based operations were conducted in Punjab which successfully eliminated terror networks. Anti-terror operations will continue till elimination of all enemies of the state from the province.”
He claimed, “Punjab will possibly complete its task against terrorism as part of NAP in the near future.”
Asked about any fresh success against terrorism, he said, “I will unveil the details of a major terror network smashed in Punjab through a press conference very soon.
Commenting over major intelligence-led anti-terror operations in Punjab, he said the recent operation of this nature was conducted in Sheikhupura district in which Al-Qaeda leader having codename ‘Abdali’ was taken out along with his accomplices. They were planning attack on government figures. The group was also planning an attack on the provincial headquarters of the Intelligence Bureau (IB).
Another key operation of this category was carried out in Raiwind, a few kilometers away from the residence of Prime Minister’s Jati Umra residence, which also took out major enemies of the state.
In operations of neutralising the threat by key militant leaders, Hafiz Sanaullah alias Qari Zarar, a top leader of outlawed TTP, was captured by one of the top secret agency from Punjab who was interrogated by that intelligence service and later handed over to the CIA police.
In another operation the same premier intelligence agency captured Tahir Farooqi from RA Bazaar Lahore, soon after the Cantonment Boards local bodies’ polls. Tahir Farooqi is head of banned Lashkar-e-Jhangvi’s armed wing that deals with making suicide jackets. The terrorist reportedly were planning to strike a public target during the polling.
Abid Baig Muawiya, a suspect involved in Youhanabad terrorist attack, was captured by one of the premier secret services from Bhatta Chowk Lahore in another action. Abid is believed to have facilitated the suicide bombers who attacked churches in Youhanabad.