A terror bid was foiled on Tuesday by Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) as it arrested five people from Bahawalpur suspected of being associated with Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), a Middle East-based militant group.
Further investigations showed that the arrested suspects were affiliated with the global terror outfit. Police said different kinds of ammunition were also recovered from their possession including five bombs and a laptop. According to CTD, the suspects were planning to target a railway bridge on the river Sutlej.
Intelligence Bureau Director General Aftab Sultan said that ISIS was an emerging threat to Pakistan because several other banned militant outfits appear to have an inclination towards it, and specifically quoted Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) as such group.
He added that a network of the ISIS was captured in Pakistan and that the terrorist group also works in coordination with the Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP). However, the government maintains its stand that the global terrorist organisation has no foothold or operations in the country.
