KARACHI: The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) Sindh, in a joint intelligence-based operation with a federal intelligence agency, on Tuesday arrested two alleged operatives of the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and claimed to have foiled a major terrorist plot in Karachi.
According to CTD SSP Irfan Bahadur, the operation was carried out in response to the recent surge in terrorist activities across the country, particularly in Karachi, where security agencies had intensified surveillance of militant organisations.
The arrested suspects were identified as Mujahid Baloch, son of Dil Jan, and Fareed Baloch alias Zakir Bin, son of Ejaz Ahmed. The CTD said both suspects had allegedly received training at the BLA camps, where they were trained in reconnaissance and communication techniques.
According to investigators, the suspects had been staying in Karachi on the instructions of BLA commanders Sajid Baloch and Bashir Zeb.
They allegedly conducted reconnaissance of sensitive installations, passed information to the militant organisation, and were working to establish a network to carry out attacks on sensitive installations and law enforcement agencies.
During the operation, CTD officials recovered approximately four kilograms of explosive material, detonators, prima cord, and ball bearings from the suspects’ possession. Cases had been registered against the suspects at the CTD police station under the Explosive Substances Act, 1908, read with the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997.
The CTD said further interrogation was underway and was expected to help investigators identify other members of the alleged network. Joint teams comprising CTD officials and federal intelligence agencies had been formed to conduct further operations based on information obtained from the suspects.
