Three 'terrorists' arrested in separate raids
The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and a federal intelligence agency have arrested three terrorists in separate operations in the metropolis, recovering two hand grenades and a ready-to-use improvised explosive device (IED), officials said on Monday.
According to a CTD spokesperson, the suspects were allegedly planning attacks on sensitive installations and law enforcement agencies in the city.
In the first operation, conducted near the Lasbela Chowk bus stop, the joint team arrested two suspected terrorists allegedly affiliated with the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). They were identified as Sajid Yousuf, son of Muhammad Yousuf, and Shaukat Ali alias Shoki, son of Huzoor Bakhsh. Two hand grenades were recovered from their possession.
The CTD said it had received intelligence that the suspects, described as trained terrorists, were present in Karachi on the instructions of their commander.
They were allegedly involved in targeted killings and attacks on Frontier Corps (FC) mobile vehicles.
During preliminary investigations, the suspects were found to be in regular contact with their commander and were allegedly planning to use explosives to target sensitive installations and law enforcement offices, the spokesperson said.
In a separate operation near the Old Sabzi Mandi, the CTD and the intelligence agency arrested Dad Muhammad alias Adil, son of Jalat Khan, on suspicion of affiliation with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). A ready-to-use IED was recovered from his possession.
The CTD spokesperson said the suspect had received training in Afghanistan and was allegedly planning attacks on sensitive installations and law enforcement agencies on his commander's instructions.
Investigations are under way to identify and arrest the suspects' alleged accomplices, facilitators and financial backers, while further operations are also being conducted, the spokesperson added.
Three cases have been registered against the arrested suspects at the CTD Karachi, and further investigations are under way.