Al-Qaeda, LeJ, TTP involved in major terror incidents in Karachi: ISPR  

KARACHI: Al-Qaeda (Indian Subcontinent) and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi in collusion with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were involved in major terror incidents in Karachi, said Director General (DG) Inter Services Public Relations, Lt-Gen. Asim Bajwa.

Briefing the media persons here Friday, Lt-Gen. Asim Bajwa said nexus of these terrorists carried out attacks from 2009 to 2015 including attack on ISI Sukkur office, Mehran Base and Karachi Airport.

The mastermind of the group involved on Karachi Airport is Naeem Bukhari, he said and added that security forces have arrested 97 Al-Qaeda and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi militants, including three commanders Naeem Bukhari, Musanna and Sabir Khan.

DG ISPR hoped, “Total peace will be restored in Karachi.” He added Rangers operation will continue till restoration of peace. It is the commitment of Pakistan Army with the Karachiites. 

He said Karachi operation was commenced in Sept 2013 at a time when criminality, targeted killing and kidnapping for ransom were at their peak.

General Asim Bajwa said over 12,000 people were arrested in more than 7,000 raids conducted by paramilitary force, out of which 6,000 people were handed over to police.

He said security forces also foiled a planned attack that would have broken Daniel Pearl´s killer out of Hyderabad jail. The same group was involved in the planning.

Reuters Adds:

The LeJ´s Naeem Bukhari and Sabir Khan, as well as Farooq Bhatti, deputy chief of al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), were captured by Pakistani forces in recent raids, Lieutenant General Asim Bajwa told a press conference on Friday.

Several of those arrested, including Bokhari, were in the advanced stages of planning a jailbreak attempt on the Hyderabad Central Jail, Bajwa said.

Khalid Omar Sheikh, who kidnapped and killed the Wall Street Journal´s Daniel Pearl in 2002, is being held at that jail and was to be released during the raid, he said.

Six suicide bombers had been enlisted in the attack plan, in addition to 19 involved in facilitating it, Bajwa said.

More than 350 kg of explosives had been recovered from a building believed to be a hideout, he said.

Video images of the building showed blue plastic barrels filled with explosives, washing machines that had been used to transport arms and ammunition, long lengths of detonating cord and dozens of ball bearings.

The footage also showed several rifles that Bajwa said had been stolen from police in earlier targeted attacks.

"This plan was 90 percent ready for execution," he added.