Terror suspect killed, five others arrested in clash with CTD in Karachi

• CTD foils major terror bid in Karachi
• NACTA had issued a warning about a possible terrorist attack in Karachi
• CTD in-charge CTD Raja Umar Khattab says building being used by terrorists has been cleared

KARACHI: The Counter-Terrorism Department killed a terror suspect and arrested five others after an exchange of fire with them which lasted for more than an hour in Karachi's Shah Latif Town Sunday. 

CTD in-charge CTD Raja Umar Khattab said the terrorists were present in a building in Shah Latif Town and action was taken against them on a tip-off.

He said that the terrorists had parked a rickshaw in front of the gate of the building which had explosives in its hidden compartments and the men were fully prepared for a major terror activity.

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Khattab said the National Counter-Terrorism Authority had warned of a “major terrorist activity” in Karachi. 

Terrorists are planning a VBIED attack on “an unspecified important government department” in the city in the near future, NACTA had said.

The CTD official said they had been monitoring the building for a long time.

Read more: CTD arrests 'most wanted terrorist' during SITE operation in Karachi

According to the Bomb Disposal Squad, four suicide jackets, 15 grenades, four Kalashnikovs, hundreds of bullets and two rockets were recovered from the terrorists' possession.

They have been sent for a forensic examination.

Authorities say the building used by the terrorists has been cleared while the explosives in the rickshaw have been defused, with ball bearings and nut bolts hidden in various compartments.

On Monday afternoon, Information Minister Nasir Shah, the Sindh IG and CTD Deputy Inspector-General Omar Shahid Hamid held a press conference to give updates on CTD's operation.

Shah praised CTD on foiling a major terror bid, saying an excellent operation was carried, out in which the "most wanted" terrorists were arrested.

He said the terrorists were affiliated with RAW and are from Afghanistan.

Hamid said there are other militant cells which are being investigated by the law enforcement agency.

"A rickshaw with explosives was recovered this morning," he said, adding that two of the terrorists belonged to Afghanistan.

Shahid, meanwhile, said the terrorists have been identified.

He said the house where the militant were found was being rented by one of them.