The facilitation network behind the attack on the Sindh Rangers facility in Gulistan-e-Johar has been uncovered, with security authorities announcing the arrest of the alleged mastermind, Qari Bashir, who was identified as a key planner of the attack.
During a press conference in Karachi, Sindh Interior Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar, accompanied by Sindh Inspector General of Police Javed Alam Odho, Additional Inspector General Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) Zulfiqar Larik, and CTD SSP Irfan Bahadur, shared details of the investigation into the attack on the Sindh Rangers Karachi Transport Company on June 27.
The officials stated that four attackers were involved in the assault, with investigations revealing that three of them were Afghan nationals while one belonged to Bajaur and had reportedly spent around two decades in Afghanistan.
According to the findings presented by authorities, the attackers were receiving instructions from handlers based in Afghanistan. The objective of the attack was to cause maximum casualties and take people hostage. Security forces successfully thwarted the plan, killing three attackers during the operation and capturing one injured attacker alive.
Sindh Interior Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar stated that the successful response by Sindh Rangers and other security institutions prevented the attackers from achieving their objectives and protected civilian lives.
SSP CTD Irfan Bahadur stated that the entire terrorist activity was carried out in multiple phases. The first phase involved planning in Afghanistan, followed by the movement of attackers into Pakistan. The third phase involved local facilitators, while the final stage included the supply of weapons and suicide jackets.
He revealed that one attacker, identified as suicide bomber Janan, was Afghan national, while another belonged to Bajaur. The third attacker, Umar Farooq, was identified as a resident of Afghanistan’s Kunar province, while the fourth attacker, who was arrested in an injured condition, belonged to Nangarhar province.
According to CTD officials, individuals including Noor Wali, Sher Ali, Saeed Shah, and others were allegedly involved in planning the attack. Officials also named Basir alias Ahrar Mullah, described as the chief of Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, as among those linked to the planning.
Authorities identified Qari Bashir as the alleged mastermind of the attack, stating that he was brought from Pakistan to Afghanistan and assigned the task of facilitating the operation. During interrogation, he reportedly confessed to his role and provided details regarding the planning and execution of the attack.
SSP CTD stated that the attackers were selected in Afghanistan and were provided training at multiple camps before being sent to Karachi. The arrested attacker, Osman, reportedly disclosed that he received training at different locations in Afghanistan before being dispatched for the operation.
Investigators revealed that the attackers entered Pakistan through different routes and travelled through various areas before reaching Karachi. According to officials, the group moved through parts of Balochistan and reached Hub City before travelling towards Karachi.
The investigation revealed that Qari Bashir allegedly arranged accommodation for the attackers in Karachi and facilitated their movement. Officials stated that a total of 13 individuals were involved in different stages of the attack, including planning, facilitation, transportation, and weapons supply.
Authorities stated that significant evidence has been recovered during the investigation, including videos from Qari Bashir’s mobile phone showing preparations for the attack and the movement of attackers before the assault.
According to officials, footage showed Qari Bashir preparing and seeing off the attackers before they proceeded toward their target. During the press conference, authorities also presented alleged confession videos of Qari Bashir and suicide bomber Janan.
The arrested mastermind reportedly provided details about the supply chain of weapons used in the attack. According to his statement, weapons were sent to Karachi on the instructions of TTP commander Saeed Shah and were received through intermediaries.
Officials stated that the weapons supply network involved multiple individuals, including a person identified as Rahim Afridi and others. The supplied weapons reportedly included Kalashnikov rifles and hand grenades.
SSP CTD Irfan Bahadur stated that investigations are continuing and that all individuals involved in the planning, facilitation, logistics, and execution of the attack are being pursued.
Authorities further stated that evidence collected during the investigation indicates the involvement of organized terrorist networks operating through cross-border facilitation channels. They emphasized that security institutions remain focused on dismantling such networks and preventing future attacks.
The Sindh government and security agencies reaffirmed their commitment to protecting citizens, strengthening intelligence-based operations, and taking decisive action against individuals and groups involved in terrorism and violence.
The successful identification of the facilitation network and arrest of the alleged mastermind marks a significant development in the investigation, demonstrating the effectiveness of coordinated efforts by law enforcement and security agencies in countering terrorist threats.
