‘Most wanted BLA militant’ arrested in Karachi

In a significant breakthrough, the Karachi police on Sunday claimed to have arrested a high-profile terrorist associated with the outlawed Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), responsible for orchestrating numerous attacks on military camps and vehicles, resulting in the deaths of several soldiers.

Identified as Mairaj, alias Mama, the suspect was captured within the jurisdiction of the Baghdadi police station of the Lyari neighbourhood. According to the District City police spokesperson, Mairaj had been actively involved in reconnaissance missions for the BLA, gathering sensitive information about security agencies and institutions.

The spokesperson said the suspect maintained direct communication with BLA commander Jalal of the Majeed Brigade, providing him with crucial intelligence. During the arrest, police recovered a hand grenade from the suspect, further indicating his involvement in violent activities, added the spokesperson.

He said that an analysis of the suspect’s mobile phone records revealed that he had access to the BLA’s training videos, underscoring his deep-rooted ties to the terrorist organisation.

In 2017 Mairaj conducted surveillance of an army convoy travelling from Turbat to Gwadar in Balochistan, facilitating a deadly attack that resulted in the martyrdom of Pakistan Army soldiers, he added. Police claimed that the suspect was also involved in espionage, targeting a military encampment situated on the premises of a school in Balochistan’s Naseerabad, leading to fatal assaults on soldiers.

Officials said Mairaj had assisted in the assassination of four individuals, who happened to be relatives of an intelligence agency officer, by gathering intelligence on them.

Police said the suspect had also played a role in orchestrating an attack on the Gwadar Port during Ramazan that claimed the lives of several soldiers. Mairaj was also involved in an assault on army personnel in Nushki that had resulted in the loss of many lives, they added.