KARACHI – The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) Sindh and a federal intelligence agency conducted a joint operation on a tip-off and arrested two suspected terrorists affiliated with the banned outfit Zeinabiyoun Brigade allegedly involved in recent sectarian target killings in Karachi.
According to CTD officials, the arrested suspects — identified as Israr Hussain Gilgiti, son of Abrar Hussain, and Masoom Raza alias Amirullah alias Imran Mota, son of Mirza Anwar Ali — were apprehended during the intelligence-based operation. Two 9mm pistols and two hand grenades were recovered from their possession.
DIG CTD Ghulam Azfar Mahesar, accompanied by SSP CTD Irfan Bahadur and SP Malik Sanghar, told a press conference that CTD had conducted 32 intelligence-based operations to trace the network behind the recent wave of sectarian killings in the city.
During interrogation, the arrested suspects confessed to involvement in several sectarian terror attacks, including the killing of Qari Anas Rehman near NED University on October 9 and the murder of Qari Abdul Rehman in Sherpao Colony in May 2025. Both the shooter and the motorcycle rider involved in these incidents are now in custody.
DIG Mahesar said that suspect Masoom Raza is listed in the Red Book of most-wanted terrorists. He added that both suspects were active members of the banned Zeinabiyoun Brigade and were executing terrorist plots to advance the group’s objectives in Karachi.
The suspects also disclosed their links with foreign handlers, including a ringleader based in a neighboring country who provided financial and operational support. The CTD and intelligence agencies have reportedly dismantled parts of this network, and cases of terrorism and terror financing are being registered against the suspects.
DIG Mahesar revealed that the suspects have identified other associates involved in sectarian attacks, and efforts are underway to arrest them. He added that sleeper cells of the organization are also active in the city, but CTD has obtained crucial intelligence about their locations and plans to act soon.
He further stated that the suspects had lured their target, Qari Anas Rehman, through money transfers and communication traps, which eventually led investigators to the wider network. The CTD has also identified several arms dumps used by these sleeper cells, which are now being traced.
