Two 'BLA terrorists' amongthree arrested in raids

The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and a federal intelligence agency have arrested three suspected terrorists in separate operations in Gulistan-e-Jauhar and near Gulbai Chowk, recovering an improvised explosive device (IED), a hand grenade, and a handgun, according to a CTD spokesperson.

In the first operation, the joint team arrested two suspected terrorists allegedly affiliated with the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), identified as Rahim Fazal, son of Fazal Mahmood, and Balach Baloch, son of Rasool Bakhsh, during a raid on Main University Road near Block 7 of Gulistan-e-Jauhar.

According to the spokesperson, the agencies had received information that two trained terrorists were present in Karachi on the instructions of their organisational commander. Preliminary intelligence suggested that the suspects had been involved in target killings, kidnappings and attacks on security forces in Balochistan. They had also received weapons training in Afghanistan, the spokesperson said.

The arrested suspects were allegedly in regular contact with their commander and were planning to target sensitive locations and law enforcement offices in Karachi using an IED and a hand grenade. The explosives were recovered during the operation, according to the CTD.

In a separate operation, the joint team arrested Shah Noor Rehman Khan, son of Akhtar Alam, who was allegedly affiliated with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), referred to by authorities as Fitna al-Khawarij, near Gulbai Chowk. A loaded .30-bore pistol and five rounds of ammunition were recovered from his possession, the spokesperson said.

During preliminary interrogation, the suspect allegedly disclosed that he had been involved in attacks on security forces in Waziristan alongside other associates. He had travelled to Karachi on the instructions of his commander to conduct reconnaissance of law enforcement offices and plan attacks on them, according to the CTD.

The department said efforts were under way to identify and arrest the suspects' associates, facilitators and financial backers. Cases have been registered against the arrested men, and further investigations are under way.