Karachi (Web Desk): Authorities in Sindh on Monday revealed that a potentially catastrophic terrorist plot in Karachi had been thwarted before it could be carried out.
During a media briefing, CTD Deputy Inspector General Ghulam Azfar Mahesar, flanked by CTD Additional Inspector General Zulfiqar Ali Larik, said security agencies, acting on intelligence shared by the country’s premier intelligence service, learned of plans by militants to strike the city.
Mahesar explained that the plot involved attacks on selected locations in Karachi with the intent of creating instability and harming national security.
In response, a joint operational plan was formulated involving intelligence agencies, the Special Branch, the Intelligence Bureau, and the Counter Terrorism Departments of both Sindh and Balochistan.
He said intelligence operatives were positioned at multiple points across the city, with a strong focus on areas in the western part of Karachi. After several days of sustained surveillance and coordinated efforts, authorities pinpointed a suspected militant hideout in Raees Goth, where a substantial quantity of explosive material had been stockpiled.
Following confirmation of the information, Sindh CTD and the premier intelligence agency carried out a joint operation at the site. One suspect was taken into custody during the raid, while three to four others managed to escape.
Mahesar said a manhunt was under way to apprehend those who fled.
Security personnel also seized a Mazda truck from the location, which was found to be loaded with explosives.
The recovered cache included 30 drums packed with explosive substances, five cylinders filled with explosives, approximately 2,000 kilograms of explosive material, along with detonators
Based on leads provided by the arrested suspect, further raids were conducted at six different locations.
These operations resulted in the arrest of two additional militants, who were also found to be carrying explosive material, raising the total number of arrests to three
Mahesar said initial interrogation revealed that the suspects were linked to the Bashir Zeb faction of the outlawed Balochistan Liberation Army and its Majeed Brigade.
He added that investigations were ongoing, with more raids being carried out to round up remaining members of the network.
The CTD DIG disclosed that facilitators and handlers connected to the plot had already been identified, noting that the planning of the intended attack had taken place outside Pakistan.
Several teams, he said, were actively working to track down and arrest those involved.
Describing the seized explosives as fully prepared for use, Mahesar called the operation a major success that prevented a large-scale attack in Karachi.
He further said the explosive material was of mixed origin, comprising commercial explosives and other components, some of which had been smuggled through the mountainous terrain of Balochistan.
Mahesar concluded by saying that additional details about the case would be shared at a later stage.