A large-scale terrorist attack was narrowly prevented in Karachi after law enforcement agencies recovered more than two tonnes of explosives during a Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) operation in the city’s Raees Goth area, officials confirmed on Monday.
Briefing the media, CTD Deputy Inspector General Ghulam Azfar Mahesar said the raid resulted in the seizure of a truck loaded with explosives, more than 30 large drums, and five cylinders. The operation was conducted jointly with CTD Additional Inspector General Zulfiqar Larik.
According to DIG Mahesar, over 2,000 kilograms of explosive material were recovered and safely neutralised. Three suspected terrorists were arrested during the raid, all of whom were allegedly preparing for a major attack in Karachi.
The arrested suspects were identified as being linked to the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and reportedly operated under the command of a militant identified as Bashir. Investigators revealed that the explosives included commercial-grade material and had been transported through multiple routes before being stockpiled at the targeted location.
DIG Mahesar further stated that intelligence findings suggest the planning of the terror plot took place outside Pakistan, indicating cross-border coordination.
The successful operation comes amid intensified counterterrorism efforts nationwide, as Pakistan continues to grapple with security challenges following the Afghan Taliban’s return to power. Despite a decline in attacks in recent months — including a nearly 17% drop in December 2025 and a 9% decrease in November — overall violence remains elevated.
According to the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), 2025 marked the most violent year in a decade, with a 34% rise in overall violence compared to the previous year. The report highlights a sustained increase in militancy since 2021, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa bearing the brunt of attacks, accounting for more than 96% of fatalities nationwide.
Sindh, meanwhile, reported 51 terror-related incidents in 2025, resulting in 56 deaths and 40 injuries — a relatively smaller share of the national total.
Security officials reiterated that intelligence-based operations would continue across the country to prevent militant networks from regrouping and executing large-scale attacks.
