CTD arrests 'Fitna al-Hindustan' terrorist

The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), in coordination with a federal intelligence agency, has arrested a suspected terrorist affiliated with the banned Fitna al-Hindustan and recovered a hand grenade from his possession, officials said on Sunday.

Fitna al-Hindustan is the term coined by the state to designate terrorist groups operating in Balochistan.

According to the CTD, the joint team received intelligence that a trained terrorist, identified as Fazal Haq Khan, son of Kamin, was present in Karachi on the instructions of a foreign handler.

The suspect was allegedly planning to target sensitive locations and offices of law enforcement agencies across the city using explosives, prompting the joint team to launch an operation that led to his arrest.

The CTD said the suspect had received terrorist training in a neighbouring country.

Investigations are under way to identify and arrest his alleged associates, facilitators and financial backers, while joint teams of the CTD and federal intelligence agency continue their operations.

A case has been registered against the suspect at the CTD Operations Karachi police station under Sections 4 and 5 of the Explosive Substances Act, 1908, read with Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997.