KARACHI: The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) has announced that it has arrested all individuals allegedly involved in facilitating and carrying out the attack on the KTC Rangers Camp in Karachi, adding that investigations into the case are continuing.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hasan Lanjar and Inspector General (IG) Sindh Javed Alam Odho, Additional Inspector General (AIG) CTD stated that investigators had identified the complete network behind the assault and were pursuing further inquiries.
According to CTD officials, the attack was orchestrated by the banned militant outfit Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, which they said had become active in Karachi again after a prolonged absence. They also alleged that the group’s leadership operating from Afghanistan provided logistical support and guidance to those involved.
The AIG CTD identified one of the deceased attackers, Janaan, as a resident of Afghanistan’s Farah province. Another militant, Bilal, was originally from Bajaur but had reportedly lived in Afghanistan’s Kunar province for nearly two decades. The arrested suspect, Usman, was said to be from Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province.
SSP CTD Irfan Bahadur explained that investigators believe the operation unfolded in four stages. He alleged that the planning and training of the attackers took place in Afghanistan before they were sent into Pakistan. According to him, the militants received continued assistance during their journey to Karachi.
Bahadur further claimed that Janaan and another slain attacker, Umar Farooq, also had links to Afghanistan. He alleged that Noor Wali, Sher Ali, and Saeed Shah developed the attack plan, which was then passed to militant commander Qari Bashir, also known as Ahrar Mullah, whom CTD described as the principal planner of the Karachi attack.
Officials said selected militants underwent training at various camps before being deployed. They also claimed that the investigation had uncovered alleged links between some arrested suspects and India.
According to SSP Bahadur, local facilitators became active during the third phase of the operation, while weapons and suicide jackets were supplied to the attackers in the final phase.
Authorities said the fourth alleged militant, Usman alias Sher Muhammad, was arrested while injured. CTD also stated that Rangers apprehended Qari Bashir during an intelligence-based operation, and claimed that he admitted to his role in planning the attack.
Earlier, Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hasan Lanjar said that Afghan nationals were involved in the June 27 attack on the Rangers company. He stated that three of the four attackers were Afghan nationals, while the fourth was from Bajaur. The minister further alleged that the attackers were directed by handlers operating from Afghanistan.
Lanjar said the objective of the attack was to create fear among the public, adding that law enforcement agencies had identified and apprehended the facilitators connected to the incident.
The post CTD arrests entire network behind Karachi rangers camp attack appeared first on Karachi News.