KARACHI: Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) and the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) have arrested a suspected Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militant during a joint intelligence-based operation in Karachi, recovering weapons and explosives from his possession, the Sindh Rangers spokesperson said on Sunday.
The suspect was identified as Shahzad alias Dunger and was arrested in the Jacob Lines area of Jamshed Town, according to the spokesperson.
The Rangers said Shahzad was allegedly associated with the Mansoor group of the TTP and joined the militant organisation in 2025 after being influenced by its leader, Mansoor.
According to the spokesperson, Shahzad was tasked with collecting funds for the organisation in Karachi. He allegedly approached people in Manghopir and persuaded them to make monthly contributions, which were later transferred to Waziristan through Easypaisa accounts allegedly provided by Din Muhammad, an associate of Mansoor based in Tank.
The suspect reportedly told investigators that the money was subsequently transferred to Mansoor and used to finance terrorist activities.
The Rangers further claimed that Shahzad travelled to Waziristan several times and held meetings with Mansoor. In June 2026, he allegedly met the TTP leader in Birmal, near the Afghanistan border.
During the meeting, Mansoor allegedly directed Shahzad to expand his network in Karachi for terrorism and extortion activities. The Rangers said weapons and explosives were later sent to him through an unidentified associate.
According to the security agency, Shahzad and his associates were allegedly planning attacks on sensitive locations in Karachi after receiving the weapons and explosives.
Authorities said raids were underway to apprehend other alleged members of the network.
The arrest comes weeks after a June 28 attack on a Rangers camp in Karachi in which three Pakistan Rangers personnel were killed and four others were injured. According to the military’s media wing, the attackers were militants belonging to Jamaat-ul-Ahrar.
The attackers reportedly carried out a blast near the main gate of the Rangers camp before attempting to breach the security perimeter. Security personnel repelled the assault, killing three attackers and capturing another in an injured condition.
The latest incident adds to a series of major security breaches in Karachi in recent years, including the April 2022 suicide bombing outside Karachi University’s Confucius Institute, the attack and takeover of the Karachi Police Office in February 2023, and the October 2024 bombing near Karachi Airport in which several Chinese engineers were killed.
