Manghopir incident: BLA militants involved in gas line blast arrested

The CTD of the Sindh police, in collaboration with intelligence agencies, raided the hideouts of suspects

KARACHI: Law enforcement agencies on Friday apprehended two suspected militants of the proscribed Baloch Liberation Army for carrying out a blast at a gas pipeline on the outskirts of Karachi.

An explosion near Madinatul Hikmat area of Manghopir on Thursday damaged the 16-inch diameter gas pipeline. Though no loss of life was reported from the explosion, gas supply to Manghopir, Banaras and nearby areas was disrupted.



According to an initial bomb disposal squad report, around 500-600 grams of local explosive content was used in the incident. A case was registered against unidentified persons for attacking the gas pipeline.

The Counter-Terrorism Department of the Sindh police, in collaboration with intelligence agencies, on Friday raided the hideouts of suspects at Manghopir and arrested two members of the banned Baloch Liberation Army.

However, their arrests have yet to be disclosed. A source in the CTD confirmed the arrests, saying: “The suspects were identified as Ayaz Brohi and Muhammad Khan,” adding, “The suspects have also been involved in attacking gas pipelines in Sui area as well as attacking security forces.”



One of them, Ayaz was wounded during an encounter with security forces in Quetta in the past.

A police source said having a strong network in Lyari and support of the Lyari gangsters, the accused had also been involved in attacking security forces in parts of Karachi, including Baldia Town, Manghopir and surrounding areas.

Further investigation was underway.