Law enforcement agencies have announced the arrest of the mastermind behind the attack on the Rangers’ KTC Camp in Karachi, claiming they have dismantled the network that planned and facilitated the assault.
The announcement was made during a joint press conference addressed by Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Najjar, Inspector General (IG) Sindh Javed Alam Odho, Additional Inspector General of the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), and SSP Irfan Bahadur.
Mastermind Arrested After Investigation
According to SSP Irfan Bahadur, investigators launched an immediate operation following the attack, leading to the arrest of Muhammad Bashir alias Qari Bashir, who authorities describe as the mastermind.
Officials said the investigation found that the attackers entered Pakistan from Afghanistan before reaching Hub City. They were then transported to Karachi’s Chamra Chowrangi area in a dedicated vehicle.
Police said that Qari Bashir arranged accommodation for the attackers in a rented house and managed their logistical support throughout their stay in Karachi. Authorities claim that 13 additional facilitators were also part of the network.
Confession and Videos Recovered, Police Say
Police officials stated that they have obtained a confession from the suspect detailing his role in facilitating the attack.
According to investigators, videos recovered from the suspect’s possession show the attackers preparing for the operation.
Officials said one video shows a suicide bomber identified as Janan training another terrorist, Umar, after receiving training in a camp in Afghanistan. Another video reportedly shows the attackers inspecting their weapons before departure while Qari Bashir is seen bidding them farewell.
Investigation Into Weapons Supply
Police said the suspect claimed he did not know the identities of those supplying weapons because the network was being directed by leadership based in Afghanistan.
Authorities further stated that the weapons suppliers have since been arrested, including a suspect identified as Ehsanullah, who is accused of supplying weapons to the attackers in Karachi’s Korangi area.
Government Raises Concerns Over Illegal Afghan Residents
Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Najjar said some Afghan nationals had been living in Pakistan on temporary arrangements, with some having married locally.
He announced that the government would deport Afghan nationals residing in Pakistan without valid visas. The minister also said that Afghan territory was being used to support terrorist activities and that India was involved in backing such operations.
Karachi’s Security Situation
IG Sindh Javed Alam Odho said the attackers’ objective was to destabilize peace in Karachi but maintained that security agencies had acted swiftly to disrupt the network.
He said Sindh recorded 37 terrorist incidents last year, while seven incidents have been reported so far this year. According to the IG, nearly 75 suspected terrorists have been arrested during various counterterrorism operations.
He also alleged that the attackers received logistical support and weapons from Afghanistan.
Authorities Link Attack to Jamaat-ul-Ahrar
The Additional IG CTD said authorities had arrested all facilitators connected to the Rangers Camp attack and dismantled the operational network.
He claimed that Jamaat-ul-Ahrar had resurfaced in Karachi after a prolonged absence and that the group’s leadership based in Afghanistan provided operational support for the attack.
According to officials, one of the attackers, Janan, was a resident of Afghanistan’s Farah province, while another attacker, Bilal, was born in Bajaur but had reportedly lived in Afghanistan’s Kunar province for the past two decades. Another arrested suspect, Usman, is said to be from Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province.
Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing and further arrests are expected.
