The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and intelligence agencies have arrested three suspected militants allegedly involved in the August 12 firing at an Independence Day stall in Karachi’s Korangi area.
According to CTD officials, the suspects are allegedly affiliated with the banned Sindhudesh Revolutionary Army (SRA) and were reportedly assigned the task by an overseas militant. Security agencies have launched further investigations to trace their alleged facilitators and other members of the network.
CTD DIG Ghulam Azfar Mahesar and SSP Irfan Bahadur shared details of the arrests during a press conference.
The suspects were arrested on August 18 during an intelligence-based operation near Korangi Causeway. The operation was jointly carried out by the CTD and intelligence agencies, with Sindh Rangers and police also participating.
According to officials, three hand grenades and weapons were recovered from the suspects.
Suspects Linked to Independence Day Stall Attack
CTD officials said the three suspects were allegedly involved in the firing at an Independence Day stall in Korangi on August 12.
A man identified as Aman was seriously injured in the attack and later died while receiving treatment. DIG Mahesar said Aman was a resident of Korangi and was shot in front of his wife and children.
SSP Irfan Bahadur said investigators found that the suspects had allegedly conducted reconnaissance of the stalls two days before the attack.
According to the initial investigation, the suspects arrived on motorcycles, opened fire at the location and fled. Investigators said they initially used one motorcycle before leaving the area on three separate motorcycles.
Security agencies reportedly traced their movements by examining their activities before and after the attack.
Overseas Suspect Allegedly Assigned the Task
DIG Mahesar said a militant identified as Arsalan Shah, who is currently abroad, allegedly assigned the suspects the task of disrupting Independence Day celebrations.
According to SSP Bahadur, Arsalan Shah allegedly provided money to the suspects during the first week of August to facilitate the planned operation.
Investigators said the suspects also disclosed during interrogation that they had been in contact with a militant based overseas.
Mahesar further claimed that the alleged overseas mastermind had instructed the suspects to conduct reconnaissance of another location where a possible bomb attack was being considered.
The CTD said the suspects were allegedly tasked with targeting law enforcement agencies as part of an attempt to create fear and unrest during Independence Day celebrations.
CTD Continues Search for Facilitators
Police officials said investigations are continuing to identify the wider network allegedly linked to the arrested suspects.
The CTD said four cases have been registered against the suspects under anti-terrorism laws and the Explosive Substances Act.
Authorities said alleged facilitators have also been identified, while efforts are underway to locate other associates involved in the network.
The arrested suspects have been handed over to law enforcement authorities, with further legal proceedings expected as the investigation progresses.
CTD Reports Decline in Terrorist Incidents
SSP Bahadur said terrorist incidents had declined by 78% during 2025 and 2026, while security agencies continue operations against militant networks.
He said CTD teams have been conducting intelligence-based and reconnaissance operations to identify individuals allegedly involved in recent attacks.
The officials also said investigations were continuing into a separate incident involving firing on a police mobile.
The CTD reiterated that efforts would continue to identify and dismantle the broader network allegedly responsible for the Korangi attack, including facilitators, financiers and other associates.
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