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KARACHI, Jan 05 (APP):A major terror plot allegedly planned by the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) was foiled in Karachi after intelligence agencies seized a massive cache of explosives and dismantled a militant network preparing terrorist attacks.
Addressing a news conference, Additional IGP CTD Zulfiqar Larik and DIGP CTD Ghulam Azfar Mahesar on Monday said more than 2,000 kilograms of explosive material were recovered, and three suspected terrorists linked to the Bashir Zeb group were arrested during a coordinated intelligence-based operation.
Law enforcement officials said the planned attacks could have caused large-scale civilian casualties had the plot not been intercepted in time.
Intelligence-led joint operation
The authorities received credible intelligence about an imminent terrorist threat to the city.
DIGP Azfar Mahesar said the information revealed that BLA militants had rented a house on the outskirts of Karachi, where they were assembling and stockpiling explosives for coordinated attacks aimed at destabilising national security.
Following the intelligence input, a joint operation was launched involving intelligence agencies, the Special Branch, CTD Sindh, and law enforcement units from Balochistan. Surveillance was intensified, and teams were deployed at multiple locations to track the network.
After sustained monitoring, law enforcement agencies traced a terrorist safe house in the Raees Goth area of Karachi. During the initial raid, one suspect was arrested and later identified as a member of the proscribed BLA (Fitna Al Hindustan) Bashir Zeb group.
A search of the premises led to the recovery of a vehicle prepared for an attack and a large quantity of explosive material.
Officials said the seized material included: More than 2,000 kilograms of high-intensity explosives, a vehicle carrying over 60 plastic drums filled with explosive material, five LPG cylinders rigged with explosives, detonators and other triggering devices.
On information obtained from the arrested suspect, additional raids were conducted at different locations, leading to the arrest of two more alleged militants. The suspects were identified as Jaleel Ahmed alias Fareed, Niaz Qadir, and Hamdan alias Fareed.
The Bomb Disposal Unit (BDU) was called in and safely neutralised the explosive material to avert any accidental detonation.
DIGP CTD said the suspects confessed to their association with Commander Bashir and the Majid Brigade of the banned BLA. He added that the plot was orchestrated by the BLA network led by Bashir Zeb.
Authorities have identified several facilitators and handlers, while multiple teams are working to arrest remaining suspects.