The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) on Monday apprehended three alleged female terrorists during raid in Sargodha, local media reported.
According to CTD sources, the women were arrested after exchange of fire near Khushab Road Bypass. Two of their male accomplices managed to escape from the scene.
Three hand grenades and two suicide vests have been recovered from women’s possession. The suspects have been shifted to undisclosed location for interrogation.
The raid is part of the ongoing anti-terrorism operation across Punjab province that was launched after the deadly suicide bombing in Gulshan Iqbal Park in Lahore in which 76 people, mostly women and children were killed.
Since March 27, Intelligence agencies along with Army and Rangers personnel have carried out a series of operations in different parts of Punjab and arrested hundreds of suspects.
Pakistan has been plagued by militant violence since it joined a U.S.-led campaign against terrorism after the Sept. 11, 2001, al Qaeda attacks on the United States.
Security forces have killed and arrested hundreds of suspected militants under an earlier crackdown launched after the 2014 Peshawar school massacre.
Militant violence eased, but groups retain the ability to launch devastating attacks.
