The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), in a joint operation with a federal intelligence agency, has announced the arrest of Syed Askari Abidi, described by the CTD as a member of Sipah-e-Muhammad and a wanted suspect in a number of serious criminal and sectarian violence cases.
According to the CTD, Abidi was among the individuals featured on the department’s 10 Most Wanted List and was allegedly involved in the killings of several religious scholars, including Mufti Shamzai, Mufti Jameel, and Mufti Irshad, along with other cases under investigation.
The arrest was described by authorities as a significant development in ongoing efforts to identify and apprehend individuals wanted in connection with targeted killings and other acts of violence in Karachi.
The arrest was carried out through coordinated efforts between the CTD and a federal intelligence agency. According to officials, intelligence-based coordination played a central role in locating and apprehending the wanted suspect.
The operation forms part of broader law-enforcement efforts to pursue individuals suspected of involvement in organized violence and targeted killings, particularly cases that have remained under investigation for extended periods. Authorities said Abidi’s inclusion on the CTD’s 10 Most Wanted List reflected the seriousness with which law-enforcement agencies regarded the allegations against him.
The CTD has alleged that Abidi was involved in the killings of several religious scholars, naming Mufti Shamzai, Mufti Jameel, and Mufti Irshad, among others. These allegations form part of the cases being pursued by law-enforcement authorities. The precise circumstances of each case, the nature of Abidi’s alleged involvement, and the evidence supporting the accusations will be subject to the relevant investigative and judicial processes.
The arrest could potentially assist investigators in advancing inquiries into previously unresolved cases and establishing further details concerning alleged networks involved in targeted violence.
The CTD’s announcement comes amid continuing law-enforcement efforts to address the threat posed by individuals and networks accused of involvement in sectarian violence and targeted killings. Karachi has historically faced complex security challenges involving multiple forms of organized and politically or sectarian motivated violence. Intelligence-led operations and inter-agency coordination remain important components of efforts to identify wanted suspects and disrupt networks linked to serious crimes.
The arrest of an individual described by authorities as one of their most-wanted suspects represents a notable development in that broader security effort.
