Mastermind of Karachi airport terror attack arrested: Home Minister

KARACHI: Sindh Home Minister Zia Ul Hassan Lanjar on Monday announced the arrest of three suspected terrorists, including the mastermind behind the deadly blast near the Karachi airport that killed two Chinese nationals among three people.

“Javed alias Sami, who is the mastermind of the [airport] attack, and a woman facilitator were arrested from RCD highway [which connects Karachi to Quetta],” the provincial minister said while addressing a news conference along with Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Ghulam Nabi Memon.

Last month, an explosion occurred on a road near Jinnah International Airport, killing a total of three people and injuring at least 16 others. The police confirmed that it was a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED), which also damaged approximately 15 vehicles.

According to the Bomb Disposal Squad’s (BDS) report, terrorists used 70-80 kilogrammes of explosives, which were planted in a double-cabin vehicle. As the Chinese convoy approached the airport signal, the attacker crashed the explosives-laden vehicle into the coaster carrying the Chinese nationals.

Giving details of the incident, Lanjar said the investigators recovered the chassis number and registration plate, which belonged to a double-cabin vehicle, from the spot. “Shah Fahad, who is the suicide bomber, was identified by fingerprints,” he added.

Furthermore, he said, two more suspects — identified as Farhan and Muhammad Saeed — were along with the rickshaw driver. “Saeed Ali and [a] bank employee, named Bilal, were also involved in the facilitation,” he added.

The home minister added that the vehicle, used in the attack, was purchased fromKarachi and the payment was made through a private bank in the Hub district.Meanwhile, the law enforcers have also identified more suspects — Danish, Gul Rehman, and Bashir Zaid — who were involved in the attack and are yet to be arrested. “Accused Javed tipped off his accomplices about Chinese nationals’ exit from the airport.”

It is pertinent to mention here that the responsibility for the attack was claimed by the banned Balochistan Liberation Army’s (BLA) Majeed Brigade via social media.The CTD, in the copy of its initial report submitted to the administrative judge of the anti-terrorism courts, revealed that the bombing was made possible with the involvement of the banned outfit.

According to the report, the horrific attack was carried out with support from an intelligence agency of a hostile country. The attacker drove his vehicle close to a convoy carrying Chinese nationals and detonated his charge, the report said, adding that the explosion took place near the Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) guardroom.