Spanish Police Arrest 10 Pakistani Nationals in Terrorism Operation

ISLAMABAD: Spanish police have arrested 10 Pakistani nationals on terrorism charges in a large-scale operation targeting an alleged extremist network believed to be inciting violence. The arrests were made following a joint operation involving the Mossos d’Esquadra (Catalan police), Spanish National Police, and Italian law enforcement, with one additional suspect taken into custody in Piacenza, Italy.

The operation, which took place on the night of March 3, targeted locations across various Spanish cities, including Montcada i Reixac, Sant Adrià de Besòs, Sabadell, and Santa Coloma de Gramenet. This latest round of arrests brings the total number of suspects detained in connection with the case to 30, following earlier detentions of five individuals in 2022 and 14 in 2023.

Authorities have stated that the group’s operations were centered within Spain, and no external connections to other terrorist networks have been established. The alleged leader of the group is identified as a 55-year-old Pakistani citizen. Investigators say the organization was linked to extremist groups using encrypted messaging platforms to issue violent directives and glorify attacks carried out in Europe and Pakistan, particularly in response to accusations of blasphemy.

In addition to the male suspects, authorities uncovered a separate online group led by a female member. This group, composed exclusively of women, was reportedly involved in spreading extremist propaganda and assisting in selecting potential targets.

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The organization is said to have been self-financed, with members regularly contributing funds for its activities. The ten arrested individuals were presented before Spain’s Central Investigating Court No. 6 on March 6, facing charges related to terrorist financing, recruitment, and aiding extremism. Four of the suspects were detained, while the remaining individuals are still under investigation.

Spanish police continue to probe the group’s operations, but authorities have emphasized that no links to international networks have been discovered as of now.