In a major counterterrorism breakthrough, the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) killed three Khawarij affiliated with the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) during a fierce gun battle in the Manghopir area of Karachi. The Khawarij were involved in deadly attacks targeting Chinese nationals and were found in possession of weapons, explosives, and a diary listing future targets.
Speaking to the media outside Civil Hospital, CTD In-charge Raja Umar Khattab said the joint operation was conducted by the CTD and a sensitive agency after receiving credible intelligence about the presence of wanted elements in a residential compound. A prolonged exchange of fire took place, resulting in the elimination of all three Khawarij on the spot.
“These Khawarij were involved in several heinous acts of terrorism, including last year’s attack on Chinese citizens,” Raja Umar Khattab stated. “One among the slain was a trained suicide bomber. They had recently infiltrated into Pakistan from Afghanistan.”
He added that two of the dead Khawarij were identified as Zafran and Qudratullah, while the identity of the third could not be confirmed immediately. Zafran was a high-profile target, with a bounty of Rs20 million placed on his head by the government.
The security personnel recovered a cache of weapons from the scene, including Kalashnikov rifles, two TT pistols, grenades, suicide jackets, and a diary containing names of intended targets. The bodies were shifted to the hospital for legal formalities, while law enforcement agencies have launched further investigations and follow-up operations based on the intelligence gathered during the raid.
