Suspected target killer linked to banned group arrested in Karachi joint operation. PHOTO: EXPRESS
KARACHI:
The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) Sindh, in a joint operation with a federal intelligence agency, arrested a suspected target killer linked to the banned outfit Zainabiyoun Brigade on Friday near University Road, Karachi.
According to a statement issued by the CTD: “During the operation, the team arrested the assassin Muhammad Farhan Khan, son of Muhammad Ismail, and recovered a 9 mm pistol along with a loaded magazine containing eight bullets. The pistol was used in the targeted killing in 2023. He has been involved in several sectarian and religious terrorist activities.”
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 B Area, Block 20, Karachi, along with an accomplice.”
“The attack was carried out on the instructions of the organization to promote sectarian terrorism in the city. An innocent child was also injured by gunshots during the incident,” the statement read.
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According to CTD, a case had been registered at CTD police station Karachi 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) was already 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 stated that the interrogation of the suspect was ongoing, with further revelations expected. Joint teams of the CTD and the Civil Intelligence had been formed to arrest his accomplices and other hitmen, with raids underway.
