Three terrorists affiliated with the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were arrested in Karachi’s Quaidabad area, suspected of plotting attacks on security forces. The joint operation was conducted by Sindh Rangers and the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), according to an official statement.
The arrested individuals were identified as Mohammed Javed Swati alias Bhai Jan, Shahid Husain alias Umer, and Akbar Zaib Khan. They were linked to various criminal activities, including terrorism, murders, attempted murders, and extortion. A significant amount of arms, ammunition, and explosives were recovered from their possession. These individuals were members of the Fitna al Khawarij Swat Group, a faction of the TTP.
Swati, who joined the group in 2008, remained active in Swat before moving to Karachi after his family’s relocation following a military operation. He was arrested in 2012 but continued to maintain contact with his associates in Afghanistan after his release. The two other suspects, Husain and Khan, joined the group in 2010 and 2014, respectively, and had extensive militant training.
The suspects were involved in multiple extortion schemes, targeting local businesses in Karachi. They demanded large sums of money from traders, including Rs2 million from a General Tyre Company president and Rs5 million from a trader in Quaidabad. They also played a role in the murder of retired head constable Fazal Zada and the injury of Syed Afreen, allegedly over suspicions that they were informers.
Meanwhile, in a separate operation in Punjab, the police killed two terrorists in a joint effort with the Punjab CTD and Dera Ghazi Khan police. The terrorists launched an attack on police using grenades and heavy weapons but were neutralized after a fierce exchange of fire. The terrorists were reportedly planning attacks on police stations and sensitive sites in Punjab.
This operation highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies across Pakistan to combat terrorism, especially following the breakdown of a ceasefire agreement with the TTP in 2022.
