CTD arrests suspect planning attacks on Chinese nationals

KARACHI:

The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) of the police successfully apprehended a terrorist affiliated with the banned Sindh Revolution Army (SRA). The operation resulted in the recovery of an improvised explosive device (IED) and a remote-controlled bomb, both intended for use in acts of terrorism.

In a statement issued by the CTD spokesman, it was revealed that the arrested terrorist, Mumtaz Ali, disclosed crucial information during the investigation. Ali disclosed that he had received instructions from SRA commander Asghar Shah, also known as Sajjad Shah, to target two locations in Karachi. The first target was the China Town Restaurant in Clifton, while the second target was the CPEC Ibrahim Hyderi project, where Chinese workers were employed. Ali's mission was to carry out attacks against these targets.

According to Ali's account, as he was en route to his assigned target, the China Town Restaurant in Clifton, carrying a fully prepared remote-controlled IED bomb concealed in a black travel bag, the police apprehended him. The law enforcement authorities not only arrested him but also recovered the bomb. The CTD has registered a case against the terrorist under anti-terrorism and explosive acts. The interrogation of Mumtaz Ali is ongoing to gather more information about his accomplices and associates.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 23^rd, 2023.