KARACHI: Sindh Home Minister Zia Ul Hassan Lanjar announced on Monday the arrest of three terrorists, including the mastermind behind the deadly blast near Karachi airport that recently killed two out of three Chinese nationals.
Speaking at a press conference alongside Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ghulam Nabi Memon, Lanjar stated that Javed, also known as Sami, the mastermind, and a female accomplice were arrested on the RCD Highway, connecting Karachi to Quetta.
The explosion, which occurred last month on a road near Jinnah International Airport, claimed three lives and injured 16 people, including another Chinese citizen. Police confirmed it was a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) blast, damaging around 15 vehicles.
The Bomb Disposal Squad report revealed that the attackers used 70-80 kg of explosives, hidden in a double-cabin vehicle. As the convoy of Chinese nationals neared the airport signal, the attacker rammed the explosive-laden vehicle into the convoy.
Lanjar disclosed that the attackers aimed to disrupt Pakistan-China relations and target the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The investigation found Javed directly involved in planning the attack, while a woman named Gul Nisa helped him.
The crime scene investigation team recovered the chassis number and license plate of the vehicle used. Lanjar added that the vehicle, bought from a Karachi showroom for Rs7.1 million, was registered under the name of the suicide bomber, with the payment transferred through a private bank in Hub, Balochistan.
The identity of the bomber, Shah Fahad, was confirmed through fingerprints, as much of his body was burned in the blast. According to the investigation, Fahad arrived in Karachi with a woman on October 4 and stayed at a hotel in Saddar.
Lanjar shared that Javed, present at the airport on the night of the attack, informed the bomber by phone when the Chinese convoy was on its way. The attacker then drove the explosives-laden vehicle near the convoy and detonated it.
Two other suspects, identified as rickshaw driver Farhan and Muhammad Saeed, were also accomplices in the attack.
Law enforcement officials have identified three more terrorists involved, namely Danish, Gul Rehman, and Bashir Zaid, who remain at large.
The minister commended the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and Sindh Police for their efforts and announced a reward of Rs50 million for their work, adding that he would recommend them for the Quaid-e-Azam Police Medal (QPM) and President’s Police Medal (PPM).
It’s notable that the Majeed Brigade of the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attack on social media.
