A highly wanted Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorist was eliminated during a joint intelligence-based operation by Pakistan Rangers and the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) in Karachi’s Gulbai-Sher Shah area, security officials said.
The terrorist was identified as Qari Zia-ur-Rehman alias Saifullah, a native of Bajaur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He was killed during an exchange of fire with the security forces, while weapons and ammunition were recovered from his possession.
According to the security authorities, Zia-ur-Rehman joined the group of TTP commander Qari Darvesh alias Bandiwan in 2006. Between 2006 and 2008, he performed picket duty at secret hideouts associated with terrorist Maulvi Faqir Muhammad.
He was also involved in multiple terrorist attacks in 2007, including an attack on a Pakistan Army camp, according to the authorities.
During a military operation in 2012, Zia-ur-Rehman fled to Afghanistan, where he subsequently received further terrorist training at a camp in Nangarhar. After his training, he was involved in attacks on Pakistani security posts along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
The terrorist had recently been moved from Afghanistan to Karachi with the task of establishing and organizing a terrorist network in the port city. Security authorities said he was also planning attacks on sensitive locations in Karachi.
The operation in Gulbai-Sher Shah underscores the continuing reach of cross-border terrorist networks into Pakistan’s major urban centers. The movement of a trained TTP operative from Afghanistan to Karachi to organize a network demonstrates how terrorist groups can seek to exploit established urban infrastructure after maintaining bases and training facilities across the border.
Following the operation, security personnel launched a search and clearance operation in the surrounding area to identify any accomplices or facilitators linked to the network. The recovered weapons and ammunition are also being examined as part of the investigation.
The elimination of Zia-ur-Rehman comes as Pakistani security forces continue intelligence-based operations against terrorist networks operating across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and major urban centers, with authorities increasingly focusing on disrupting networks before they can execute planned attacks.
