The Punjab Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) on Wednesday claimed it has dismantled a sophisticated network of Indian intelligence operatives and local facilitators allegedly working under the direction of India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).
Addressing a press conference, a senior CTD official said ‘Operation Yalghar’ had yielded the arrest of six suspected RAW facilitators from Toba Tek Singh. The official claimed security forces had recovered a large cache of sensitive materials, including maps of strategic locations, detonators, and high-grade explosives.
In a parallel operation, CTD Bahawalpur arrested several suspects allegedly linked to the same network. CTD officials alleged these suspects had received financial support routed through Dubai and consignments of improvised explosive devices from India’s Border Security Force.
“The suspects were actively plotting attacks on a mosque and the local railway station,” said a senior CTD Bahawalpur official. “Had they succeeded, the consequences would have been catastrophic,” he added.
The investigators have claimed forensic analysis of intercepted digital communications found audio recordings of two men identified as Major Rawindra Rathor and Inspector Singh, allegedly officers of RAW, issuing operational directives to the suspects. The handlers alleged direct direct attacks on “sensitive installations” across Pakistan in the calls.
“We will not compromise on the sovereignty of Pakistan,” said the CTD, reaffirming its commitment to national defense. “Anyone involved in aiding foreign attempts to destabilize our country will be brought to justice,” it added.
The arrest of the alleged spy network supports Pakistan’s longstanding view of India interfering in its internal affairs. In its statement, the CTD noted that proxy networks, their clandestine facilitators and hybrid warfare are quickly becoming the new norm in South Asia.