A suspected killer linked to a banned group has been arrested in a joint operation in Karachi. PHOTO: EXPRESS
KARACHI:
The Sindh Anti-Terrorism Department (CTD), in a joint operation with a federal intelligence agency, on Friday arrested a suspected killer linked to the banned Zainabiyoun Brigade near University Road in Karachi.
According to a statement issued by the CTD, “During the operation, the team arrested the targeted killer Muhammad Farhan Khan, son of Muhammad Ismail, and recovered a 9mm pistol along with a loaded magazine containing eight bullets. The pistol was used in the 2023 targeted killing. It has been involved in multiple sectarian and religious terrorist activities in the past.”
The statement further revealed that during interrogation, the arrested suspect confessed to “killing an imam of Masjid Abu Bakr on the day of 12 Rabiul-Awwal in Federal Zone B, Block 20, Karachi, along with an accomplice.”
“The attack was carried out on the instructions of the organization aimed at promoting sectarian terrorism in the city. An innocent child was also shot and injured in the incident,” the statement said.
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According to the CTD, a case was registered at the CTD Karachi police station for illegal possession of arms. Crime No. 32/2026 had been filed under Section 23(1) of the Sindh Arms Act, 2013.
“The murder case of Qaiser Farooq (Imam Masjid Abu Bakr) has already been registered at Samanabad Police Station under FIR No. 297/2023, under sections 302, 324 and 34 of the Pakistan Penal Code,” the statement added.
The CTD further said that interrogation of the suspect was ongoing and further revelations were awaited. Joint CTD and civilian intelligence teams have been formed to arrest his accomplices and other targeted killers, and raids are underway.
