Planning attacks: CTD nabs three suspected terrorists

One suspect has degree in mechanical engineering

KARACHI: The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) of Sindh police claimed to have arrested three suspected terrorists, affiliated with al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), who were allegedly planning to use drones to carry out attacks in the city.

CTD officials said on Tuesday that they arrested three suspected terrorists, identified as Usman Naeem, Umair and Imamuddin alias Muavia, during a raid in West district.

Two Kalashnikovs and a pistol were recovered from their possession. CTD in-charge Ali Raza said the suspects were affiliated with commander Fahad of AQIS. Umair is said to have completed his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from a private university and was researching drone technology for using it in bomb blasts and other terrorist activities. Of the other suspects, Usman is said to be an arms supplier for banned outfits while Muavia distributed hate material of proscribed organisations, which was also recovered during the raid.

Encounter

Two suspected criminals were killed during an alleged police encounter in Korangi Industrial Area on Tuesday. The suspects, identified as Shakoor alias Grenade and Anwar alias Dodo Mian, were killed when the special investigation unit (SIU) of the Criminal Investigation Agency conducted a raid in Korangi on a tip-off. SIU chief SP Farooq Awan said the suspects opened fire at the police and tried to escape. In retaliation, police fired back and killed the two. The suspects reportedly died of serious injuries en route to a hospital.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 23^rd,  2016.