Four terrorists were killed in a CTD encounter in Karachi after security forces carried out an intelligence-based operation in Shah Latif Town, officials said. The militants were linked to the banned BLA Bashir Zeb group and were involved in preparing improvised explosive devices (IEDs), while a large cache of explosives and weapons was also recovered during the raid.
According to CTD officials, the operation was conducted following the identification provided by three terrorists who had been arrested earlier in January along with a large cache of explosives. Acting on their information, CTD teams cordoned off a house in Shah Latif Town, where an exchange of fire took place.
During the encounter, four terrorists were killed. They were identified as Jaleel alias Fareed, Niaz alias King, and Hamdan alias Fareed, while efforts are underway to confirm the identity of the fourth suspect.
CTD officials said that as personnel surrounded the premises, militants opened fire, forcing security forces to respond. Two CTD personnel—Head Constable Muhammad Yousaf and Constable Raja Junaid—were injured in the exchange and were shifted to hospital, where they are reported to be in stable condition.
Authorities revealed that the terrorists were preparing improvised explosive devices (IEDs) inside the house. During a search operation, law enforcement recovered explosive material, ready-to-use IEDs, detonators, detonating wire, electronic circuits, five hand grenades, and one submachine gun (SMG).
The Bomb Disposal Squad safely defused all explosive material and shifted it to a secure location.
Police said that two to three suspects managed to escape during the operation. Following the incident, security was heightened and snap checking was initiated across several areas, including Malir, to arrest the fleeing militants.
In a joint statement, DIG CTD Azfar Mahesar and SSP Irfan Bahadur confirmed that interrogation of the terrorists arrested last month with nearly 2,000 kilograms of explosives was ongoing. Based on their disclosures, the Shah Latif Town raid was conducted.
Officials said that one terrorist was killed inside the house during the exchange of fire, while three others, who were injured, died before reaching the hospital.
