In a major counter-terrorism operation, the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) Punjab has arrested two khawarij affiliated with the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), or Fitna al-Khawarij as declared by the state, from the Saddar Police Station jurisdiction in Gujrat.
The arrests come days after a video went viral on social media showing terrorists claiming their presence in Gujrat. The video also featured a police mobile van marked “Gujrat Police,” sparking concerns and immediate action from the authorities.
According to local sources, the CTD and other security agencies launched a swift and coordinated operation following the video’s circulation. The two suspects were apprehended and shifted to an undisclosed location for interrogation.
Sources further revealed that one of the individuals seen driving in the video has been identified as Rauf Afridi, alias Khameem Khan. Afridi is a former member of the security forces who allegedly defected and joined the banned group Jamaat-ul-Ahrar in the Khyber district. He is wanted by law enforcement in connection with several anti-state and terrorist activities. However, his arrested has not been confirmed yet by the concerned authorities.
The authorities have not yet officially released further details but confirmed that investigations are ongoing to uncover the broader network and intentions behind the suspects’ presence in the region.
This operation marks another significant step in the state’s continued crackdown on elements deemed part of the “Khawarij”… a term used by the state for the banned TTP.
