CTD dismantles two militant sleeper cells in Karachi

Three alleged terrorists killed, four arrested in predawn raids

KARACHI: The Sindh police’s Counter-Terrorism Department claimed on Monday to have dismantled two ‘sleeper cells’ of banned militant outfits in Karachi. The department killed three members of the sleeper cells and arrested four others during separate predawn raids in parts of the metropolis.

An Afghanistan intelligence agency-backed militant group had assigned the killed and arrested militants to carry out reconnaissance for their upcoming targets in Karachi before dispatching suicide bombers.

"A network of informants was spread out to tighten the noose around the terrorists, following frequent incidents of terrorism in recent months in Karachi," explained CTD DIG Amir Farooqui during a press conference at his office. He was flanked by CTD Intelligence SSP Omar Shahid Hamid.

"Last night, on a tip off, the CTD raided three different locations in Karachi and killed three members of the sleeper cell and arrested four of their comrades," he said.



The first raid was conducted on MA Jinnah Road and resulted in the arrest of three militants - Taj Muhammad, Muhammad Ibrahim and Imran - and recovery of three pistols. Three terrorists were killed during a second raid conducted in the Macchar Colony area. "They were associated with the Tehreek-e-Emirate Islamia group of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan," the CTD DIG claimed. "The militants had completed their reconnaissance of the Aga Khan community centres (jamaat khanas), Rapid Response Force centre in Baldia Town, imambargahs and shrines."

The CTD officials also claim to have recovered a Kalashnikov, a 9mm pistol and a homemade bomb from their possession.

The terrorists killed have yet to be identified. Their bodies were shifted to the Edhi morgue in Sohrab Goth. The arrested militants, however, have so far admitted to killing a police sub-inspector, Riaz, in 2015 as well as to the killing of a man, Shafiullah, in 2016 as they believed him to be a policeman.

These murder cases were registered at Saeedabad police station.

CTD officials believe that the militants were working under the leadership of Qari Shakir. "Qari Shakir is one of the most hardcore terrorists," SSP Hamid told The Express Tribune. "He [Shakir] has the support of the Afghan intelligence agency - National Directorate of Security (NDS) – and is currently operating out of Afghanistan where he is also running the biggest training camp in Nangarhar province."



SSP Hamid said that the lists of their targets recovered by the CTD were huge. "They were preparing for a number of terrorist activities in Karachi in the coming days," he explained. "Thank God our timely action saved the city from various disasters."

Apart from the shrines, imambargahs and community centres, some government institutions and universities were also on their target list. Talking about the Shakir, SSP Hamid said that Shakir is a resident of SITE area in Karachi and had been involved in various terrorist activities in the city, including the massive killings of law enforcers in 2013. He also played a vital role in the assassination of senior anti-terror cop SP Chaudhry Muhammad Aslam Khan.

"These sleeper cells were basically working for reconnaissance and logistical purposes as they were tasked by Qari Shakir on the behest of NDS and RAW," SSP Hamid claimed. "But the suicide bombers had to be dispatched from Afghanistan to carry out the attacks."

This is the second time the CTD has arrested militants belonging to the Tehreek-e-Emirate Islamia from Karachi. Earlier, the CTD arrested Tehreek-e-Emirate Islamia Afghanistan's Karachi head Umer Hayat from MPR Colony in Orangi Town. Hayat had prepared two suicide bombers to target the Kamra Airbase, however, they returned unsuccessful due to high security.



Meanwhile, the CTD also claim to have arrested a militant of another banned sectarian outfit - Lashkar-e-Jhangvi - during a raid in Nazimabad locality. The accused, Muhammad Ashfaq, revealed that he had killed two men in 2013 in Rizvia area while two of his comrades have already been killed in an encounter with the police. A hand grenade and pistol were also recovered from his possession.