CTD arrests two SLA terrorists planning attacks on govt, security installations in Sindh

KARACHI: The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), in a joint operation with a federal intelligence agency, has arrested two alleged terrorists belonging to the proscribed Sindhudesh Liberation Army (SLA) for planning attacks on government installations and law enforcement agencies in Sindh.

The arrested suspects were identified as Madad Ali alias Ali and Junaid Ali Abbasi. Both were allegedly in constant contact with SLA commander Darya Khan and had reached Karachi on his instructions to carry out terrorist activities, a CTD spokesperson said in a statement on Sunday.

The suspects were planning to target law enforcement agencies and their personnel across the province, the department said.

The CTD added that the suspects had completed reconnaissance of important police and Rangers buildings and offices. They were also allegedly planning attacks on other key government buildings and offices of law enforcement agencies.

The department said further interrogation of the arrested suspects was underway, adding that efforts were being made to apprehend their accomplices and other members of the alleged network.

IED, hand grenade recovered

During the operation, security personnel recovered a ready-to-use improvised explosive device (IED) and a hand grenade from the suspects’ possession.

According to the CTD, the proscribed organisation had provided the arrested men with militant training and explosive materials to facilitate their planned attacks.

The suspects had travelled to Karachi on the instructions of commander Darya Khan after allegedly receiving their assignments from the proscribed outfit.

The department said the joint operation had foiled a potential terrorist plot targeting important government and security installations in the province.

Two separate cases have been registered against the arrested suspects at the CTD Operations police station, while further investigation is underway.

Lanjar praises joint operation

Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar praised the CTD and federal intelligence agency for their coordinated operation, describing it as an important achievement in preventing a major terrorist incident in Karachi.

He appreciated the law enforcement agencies for their efforts to thwart the alleged terrorist plot and stressed the importance of coordinated action against elements involved in planning attacks on public and government installations.

Massive explosives cache seized in January

In January, the CTD arrested three suspects and recovered more than two tonnes of high-grade explosive material from a house in Karachi’s Baldia Town area.

Additional Inspector General CTD Zulfiqar Lark and DIG CTD retired Captain Ghulam Azfar Mahesar had said the operation followed several days of intelligence-led surveillance.

The explosives, stored in more than 30 plastic drums and five metal gas cylinders, were transported out of the city and neutralised in Hub.

The officials said the material had been transported from Afghanistan through Balochistan and that the suspects were planning attacks on civilian targets in Karachi.

They also highlighted the role of local facilitators and the use of rented properties by militant networks.