Sindh Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) has claimed to have busted a network of India’s intelligence agency, Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), allegedly involved in the targeted killing of a social activist in Badin’s Matli area earlier this year.
Addressing a press conference on Friday, Additional IG CTD Sindh Azaad Khan said that the murder, which took place on May 18, was orchestrated by RAW operatives. He added that the crime stemmed from a dispute on May 9 and 10, during which suspects identified as Umair Asghar, Sajjad, and Shakeel carried out the assassination.
He revealed that RAW handler Sanjay Kumar, also known as “Fauji,” based in a Gulf country, transferred large sums of money to Salman of Sheikhupura. Salman later met the other suspects in Hyderabad before they travelled to Matli to execute the plan.
Following the incident, Salman reportedly fled to Nepal via Karachi airport, while two other suspects, Talha and Umair, were arrested on August 22. Weapons and mobile phones used in the operation were also recovered during the arrests.
The Additional IG further stated that RAW had used a separatist group to facilitate the plot. He stressed that the Indian intelligence agency has been involved in orchestrating acts of terrorism in Pakistan in the past as well.
“The recovery of weapons and communication devices provides concrete evidence of RAW’s involvement,” Azaad Khan said, adding that investigations are continuing to trace other operatives linked with the network.
