KARACHI - The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) of Sindh police on Monday claimed to have foiled a major terror plot in Karachi as it killed a militant and arrested five others in an encounter held in Shah Latif Town.
The department took action on intelligence-based information where they faced severe resistance from the militants, resulting in exchange of fires, the officials confirmed.
Later, addressing a presser along with Sindh Information Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah and the Provincial Police Chief Mushtaq Mahar, CTD Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Omar Shahid Hamid said that huge cache of weapons and a rickshaw full of explosive substance were also found from the house being used by the terrorists.
He said that the killed suspect was a suicide bomber while others were identified Zahidullah alias Sulaiman, Bismillah aka Haji Lala, Mohammad Qasim alias Haji Siddique, Inamullah aka Bilal and Gul Mohammad were arrested.
Four Kalashnikovs, twelve Kalashnikov magazines, 500 Kalashnikov live rounds, three suicide jackets, two rockets, 12 detonators, 13 explosive blocks, 12 hand grenades and maps of key installations and other items were recovered. “The terrorist had planned to use rickshaw as a vehicle-borne improvised device,” he added.
He said that bomb disposal squad defused the explosives and cleared the building where the militants were residing. DIG Shahid added that the suspects were operatives of hostile agency rather than a terror outfit.
He said the suspects were residing in rented house and as per their agreement, they had reached Karachi 15 to 16 days ago. The house owner would also be made part of the investigation, The CTD DIG added.
Speaking on the occasion, Provincial Information Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah said that solid evidences of RAW’s involvement was found. He said that most of the suspects were Afghan national and added, “today is a big day as a large network of terrorists has been trapped in Shah Latif Town. The group was involved in anti-national activities and the target was Sindh in particular”. He said that it was a joint operation involving police, CTD and intelligence agencies.
Nasir said that there were various threat alerts for several months on which Sindh police, law enforcement agencies and particularly intelligence agencies worked hard to fail the evil designs. He said that according to preliminary information, most of the members of the group were said to be hailed from Afghanistan. “There is also strong evidences of RAW’s involvement. Their targets were our key installations including Sindh Assembly and high profile personalities,” he added.
The Minister said: “We are in a state of war, our enemy uses our own people who facilitate terrorism. No concession would be made with those acting against Pakistan and they have no right to stay here.”
Replying to a question, Nasir said that Inspector General (IG) Sindh Police has been empowered. The Minister said that they all had worked together for the betterment of people of Sindh. In response to another question, he said that all information will be shared after the interrogation process is completed. Sindh IGP Mushtaq Mahar said that efforts were being taken to neutralise slipper cells.