The Punjab Counter Terrorist Department (CTD) announced the arrest of Aminul Haq, an infamous terrorist and a key associate of Osama bin Laden, in Pakistan. The arrest took place on Friday in Sarai Alamgir town of Gujrat district, as reported by local media. Usman Gondal, the deputy inspector general for the CTD, revealed that Haq was using a fake identity while allegedly planning large-scale terrorist activities aimed at key installations within Pakistan.
Gondal further elaborated that Aminul Haq had been working closely with Osama bin Laden, the architect behind the 9/11 attacks. The United Nations had previously sanctioned Haq for “supplying, selling or transferring arms and related materiel” to Al-Qaeda and Taliban groups.
Despite this significant arrest, Pakistan continues to face substantial terrorist activities. The Center for Research and Security Studies’ annual security report for 2023 recorded 1,533 violence-linked fatalities and 1,462 injuries from 789 incidents of terror attacks and counter-terror operations. Over 1,000 of these fatalities were civilians and security forces personnel. These numbers represent a 6-year high in terrorist fatalities, marking a 56% increase in violence compared to the previous year.
In response to the escalating terrorism, the Pakistani government recently approved a nationwide counter-terrorism operation designated as Operation Azm-i-Istehkam. This initiative, as noted by the Prime Minister, seeks to “reinvigorate and re-energize” the national counter-terrorism campaign, aiming for a comprehensive and decisive plan to combat extremism and terrorism through a synergized national effort. More details can be found on the official announcement.