An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Karachi has remanded three suspects, allegedly linked to the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), into the custody of the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) in a case involving a large cache of explosives. The suspects were produced before the administrative judge at the Judicial Complex inside Karachi Central Prison.
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The court granted physical remand of the accused until January 24 and directed the investigating officer to present them on the next hearing along with a progress report. The CTD had requested custody to conduct further interrogation and complete initial investigations.
According to CTD officials, the arrests were made following a tip-off regarding the movement of explosive material. The first suspect, Jalil alias Fareed, was apprehended from Rais Goth, while two others, Hamdan Qadir Buksh and Niaz Ali Muhammad, were arrested subsequently during follow-up operations.
The CTD claimed that approximately 2,000 kilograms of explosives were recovered during the operation. The seized material included 30 plastic drums, five cylinders fitted with detonators, and a truck allegedly intended for transporting the explosives.
Investigators stated that the suspects were allegedly planning to carry out a terrorist attack in Karachi. During preliminary questioning, Jalil reportedly disclosed his alleged association with the Majeed Brigade, a faction of the proscribed BLA.
Officials further alleged that the recovered truck was meant to be used at a specific target location in the city. The CTD maintains that the scale of the explosives indicates the seriousness of the alleged plot and the potential threat posed.
A case has been registered against the suspects under Sections 4 and 5 of the Explosive Substances Act, read with Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act. CTD officials said the investigation is ongoing to determine the network involved and the intended targets.
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During a press briefing earlier this week, CTD representatives claimed that the explosive material had been sourced from Afghanistan. Authorities say further inquiries are underway to verify these claims and establish possible cross-border links.