Terror plot on Independence Day in Karachi foiled

KARACHI: Security forces in an intelligence-based operation have busted a foreign sponsored terrorist gang and foiled its bid to sabotage the Independence Day celebrations in Karachi.
The ISPR said some high value targets, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Swat chapter Naib Ameer in Karachi, Bakht Zaman, had been apprehended during the operation.
The terrorist gang had for some time been planning the attack and had prepared an explosives laden vehicle and a motorcycle which they were planning to use on Independence Day.
During interrogation, the apprehended terrorists confessed that vehicles were arranged from Karachi and they were waiting for suicide bombers to arrive from Afghanistan. The Ameer of the TTP Swat chapter in Karachi was allegedly in Afghanistan for the purpose.
After the tip-off, security agencies continued surveillance of the group for weeks before the operation was simultaneously launched on August 9 in Hyderabad and Karachi to arrest the culprits.
An explosive-laden hi-roof vehicle and a motorcycle have also been recovered. More startling revelations are expected during interrogation.
Meanwhile, Additional Inspector General of Police, Karachi, Mushtaq Mehar, held a security meeting at his office which was attended by DIGs and SSPs of the Karachi Range.
Spokesman for the Karachi Police said that Mushtaq Mehar ordered all the Karachi Range DIGs to direct police officers to take precautionary and security measures for the forthcoming Independence Day celebrations.
To ensure security, strict surveillance was mounted at the Mazar-e-Quaid and other important buildings.
Mushtaq Mehar said 4,100 cops had been deputed on special duties for the occasion as part of extraordinary measures for the maintenance of the law and order situation.