Karachi Averted Disaster as Over Four Tons of Explosives Recovered

Karachi (Web Desk) – Police, in coordination with other law enforcement agencies (LEAs), have foiled a major terrorist plot in Karachi by arresting three suspected terrorists who were planning to target a shopping mall using a truck loaded with a massive quantity of explosives, officials confirmed on Monday.

According to media reports, the arrests followed a major intelligence-based operation carried out on Sunday in Baldia Raees Goth, where security forces recovered around 2,000 kilograms of explosive material and successfully prevented a large-scale terrorist attack in the city.

During the operation, a truck parked on an empty plot was seized. Security officials said the vehicle contained dozens of plastic drums filled with explosives, several gas cylinders, and a quantity of homemade explosive material. Authorities stated that the timely action averted a potential disaster and saved numerous lives. The operation also reportedly neutralized a serious threat to the city mayor.

After the recovery, security forces cordoned off the area and conducted a detailed clearance operation to ensure the safety of residents in the surrounding locality. Officials described the operation as a significant blow to terrorist planning and logistics in Karachi.

Addressing a press conference on Monday, Additional Inspector General (AIG) of the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) Zulfiqar Larak, along with Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Ghulam Azfar Mehsar, said that following sustained intelligence efforts, two more suspects were arrested, bringing the total number of detainees to three.

The arrested suspects were identified as Jalil Ahmad alias Farid, Niaz Qadir alias King, and Hamdan alias Farid. AIG Zulfiqar Larak said that strict monitoring, surveillance, and intelligence coordination played a key role in thwarting the plot.

He added that the recovered explosive material was later safely dismantled at a designated site in Hub, outside Karachi. The suspects were residing in a rented house located approximately 35 to 40 kilometers from the city, he said.

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According to the CTD chief, preliminary investigations suggest that the explosives were transported from Afghanistan to Balochistan and then moved to Karachi. He claimed that the network was being operated from neighboring countries and alleged involvement of militant groups linked to Indian interests, including BLA and BLF.

AIG Larak emphasized that disrupting the supply chain of explosives remains a top priority for law enforcement agencies. He also pointed out that local facilitators assisted the suspects in exchange for small financial gains. The operation, he said, was conducted under strict secrecy using both human and technical intelligence sources.

He stressed the need for effective monitoring of residential tenancy systems, as suspects often use rented houses to store and prepare explosive material. He also called for strict enforcement of laws regulating the illegal use of chemicals.

Concluding the briefing, AIG Zulfiqar Larak said that law enforcement and intelligence agencies remain fully committed to eliminating terrorism. He added that efforts are underway to apprehend all individuals linked to the plot, and further details will be shared as the investigation progresses.