Pakistan: Police foils major terrorist attack in Karachi

Islamabad: Pakistan’s security officials on Monday averted a major terrorist attack in the biggest city of Karachi.

One terrorist was killed and five were arrested by the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) of Sindh Police over a suspected plot to carry out what officials described as a major terrorist attack involving guns and explosives.

The law enforcement agency personnel also recovered weapons, bomb-making materials and suicide jackets during the intelligence-based operation.

A rickshaw laden with explosive materials to be used as a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) was also found at the hideout and was defused by the bomb disposal squad.

CTD personnel conducted the operation in the early hours of Monday in Karachi’s Shah Latif Town during which the terrorists hurled a stun grenade on the armored vehicle of the CTD, Omer Shahid Hamid, deputy inspector general of CTD Sindh, told reporters.

One killed

At least one terrorist was killed during the exchange of fire between terrorists and police while five militants were arrested.

The arrested suspects were identified as Bismillah alias Haji Lala, Zahidullah alias Suleiman, Mohammad Qasim alias Haji Siddiq, Inamullah alias Bilal, Gul Mohammad and the deceased as Mehmood.

During a press conference, Sindh Information Minister Nasir Hussain Shah said that initial investigations suggested that most of the suspects were from Afghanistan.

DIG Hamid said that that the militants were most probably “operatives of a hostile agency” rather than part of a terror outfit as per initial inquiry.

Sindh Inspector General of Police Mushtaq Mahar said that efforts were ongoing to locate and neutralize terrorist sleeper cells across the province. A joint investigation team has been formed to carry out a detailed investigation into the possible attack.

20 million people

Shah said the timely response from security officials helped averted a disaster and saved many lives in the city of more than 20 million people.

The huge quantity of weapons and equipment suggested the terrorists were planning a massive terror attack, he said, adding that their likely targets were government institutions such as the Sindh Assembly, important personalities, and sensitive areas.

The CTD operation was carried out following a threat alert issued by the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA), recommending increased security measures in the city.