In a major breakthrough, a TTP terrorist in Karachi, allegedly behind the 2024 shooting of Chinese engineers, was killed in a late-night operation by Pakistan’s Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and intelligence agencies. The operation took place in the Manghopir area on Sunday night and resulted in the death of three suspected terrorists.
Mastermind of Chinese Attack Eliminated
One of the killed suspects was identified as Zafran, who had a Rs20 million bounty on his head. Police linked him to the 5 November 2024 attack at Liberty Textile Mill, where two Chinese engineers were seriously injured after a security guard opened fire. Zafran was also reportedly involved in the assault on the Karachi Police Office (KPO), a high-profile incident from the same year.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had vowed stronger protection for Chinese citizens in Pakistan following the Liberty attack. At the time, he stressed that safeguarding Chinese nationals, particularly those working on the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), remained a top government priority.
Operation Based on Credible Intelligence
CTD Chief Raja Umar Khattab said the successful raid followed days of surveillance and credible intelligence reports. Officials received a tip about a TTP hideout in Fatima Society, located on Ijtema Gah Road in Manghopir.
As police and intelligence teams moved in, the suspects opened fire, triggering an intense gunfight. The exchange of fire lasted for more than an hour. By the end of the encounter, all three suspects had been neutralized.
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According to police, the terrorists were heavily armed. Officers recovered a fully assembled suicide jacket, three grenades, one Kalashnikov rifle, two pistols, and a large stock of ammunition from the site. Authorities also discovered a diary listing two to three high-value targets, indicating the group may have been preparing for more attacks.
Links to Afghanistan-Based TTP Cell
Khattab revealed that the deceased men were part of a TTP cell operating from Afghanistan. Intelligence sources had been monitoring the cell for several days before the raid. He added that while the group reportedly has five members, only three were present during the operation.
The second suspect was identified as Qudratullah. The identity of the third remains unconfirmed as authorities work to establish his background.
Following the operation, a search sweep was launched in surrounding areas to trace the remaining members of the cell. Officials believe the group may have planned additional attacks on foreign nationals and sensitive installations in Karachi.
Background: Chinese Nationals Under Attack
The November 2024 attack at Liberty Textile Mill shocked both Pakistan and China. It occurred when a private security guard opened fire on Chinese engineers at the Karachi factory, leaving two severely injured. The incident raised serious questions about the safety of foreign workers involved in CPEC-related projects.
Since then, multiple security incidents have prompted the Pakistani government to tighten protection protocols for Chinese nationals. The Interior Ministry introduced new measures, including increased personnel deployment, intelligence-based monitoring, and the establishment of specialized security zones.
Despite those steps, recent threats from Afghanistan-based militants, particularly the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), have complicated efforts to guarantee full protection. The TTP has openly opposed CPEC, which it views as a strategic alliance against its interests.
Coordinated Efforts Yield Results
The success of the Manghopir raid reflects growing cooperation between CTD and Pakistan’s intelligence network. Officials say such joint operations are essential to dismantle cross-border terrorist cells attempting to operate within urban areas.
Khattab praised the professionalism and coordination shown during the raid. “The entire operation was executed with precision,” he said. “This was a key breakthrough in neutralizing threats to national security and foreign nationals in Pakistan.”
Investigations are ongoing as authorities examine the recovered materials and track down the remaining members of the cell. The operation has dealt a heavy blow to the TTP’s Karachi network, and officials remain on high alert for any retaliatory actions.
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