Seized 2,000kg truck bomb was to be used for blowing up Karachi shopping mall

Police, in collaboration with law enforcement agencies (LEAs), have arrested three terrorists who were planning to blow up a shopping mall in Karachi with 2,000 kilograms of explosives carried in a truck, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Monday.

On Sunday, security forces conducted a major intelligence-based operation in Baldia Raees Goth of Karachi, seizing 2,000 kilograms explosive material and preventing a major terrorist attack targeting a shopping mall in the megacity.

During the operation, a truck parked in an empty plot was seized. The vehicle contained 60 plastic drums full of explosives, five gas cylinders, and more than 40 kilograms of homemade explosives, according to security officials.

The city mayor was reportedly rescued from a major terrorism threat as part of the operation.

Later, security forces cordoned off the area and carried out a thorough sweep to ensure the safety of nearby residents. Authorities said the operation dealt a significant blow to terrorist plans in the city.

Karachi Raees Goth, Pakistani security forces executed an intelligence based operation, in which Pakistani security forces tracked down a truck that was loaded with 2000 kg of explosives and apprehended terrorists along the truck on further tracking a suicide bomber was also… pic.twitter.com/MqTJXWAMLw

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Addressing a news conference in Karachi on Monday, Additional Inspector General (AIG) of Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) Zulfiqar Larak and Deputy Inspector-General (DIG) Ghulam Azfar Mehsar said that after due hectic efforts two more terrorists were arrested.

The three arrested terrorists were later identified as Jalil Ahmad alias Farid, son of Mohammad Noor, Niaz Qadir alias King, son of Qadir Bukhsh, and Hamdan, alias Farid, son of Mohammad Ali.

AIG Zulfiqar Larak said that due to the strict monitoring and surveillance of law enforcement agencies, the terrorists' plot was thwarted.

He said that all the recovered explosive material was dismantled at a site in Hub, which is located outside Karachi. Zulfiqar Larak said that after seizing more than 2,000 kilograms of explosive material lot of valuable lives were saved. 

The AIG informed that the terrorists were residing in a rented house, which was located about 35 to 40 kilometers away from Karachi.

Zulfiqar Larak said that Indian proxies BLA and BLF use safe havens in Afghanistan. There is evidence linking the fabric of the terrorist network to Bashir Zeb, BLA, Fitna al-Hindustan, and Majeed Brigade.

He said that breaking the supply chain of explosives is the top priority of the security agencies. Local facilitators helped terrorists in exchange for small financial gains, he added.

He said that the intelligence department kept the operation completely secret using human and technical sources.

The AIG said that they should adopt precautionary measures to curb the spread of panic among the people.

The AIG said that the booby-traps and potential dangers were closely examined during the raid. He said that during the operation, more than 30 plastic drums containing explosives and five metal gas cylinders were recovered.

As per the initial probe, the explosives were brought from Afghanistan to Balochistan and then to Karachi.

According to evidence, the network was being operated from neighboring countries, he said and added, terrorist groups operating under Indian interests were behind the plan.

He revealed that terrorists used residential homes to hide and prepare explosives, and strict supervision and effective monitoring of the housing tenancy system are essential.

Strict enforcement of laws against illegal use of urea and other chemicals is a must. 

Zulfiqar Larak Law enforcement and intelligence agencies are determined to eliminate terrorism. He said that all those responsible for the terrorist plot are being chased, and more details will be revealed soon.