Suspected TTP militant arrested in joint Rangers-CTD raid in Karachi’s SITE area

KARACHI: A man suspected of belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) was arrested during a joint operation by the Rangers and the Counter-Terrorism Department in Karachi’s SITE area on Sunday, according to officials.

Officials said the suspect, identified as Noor Alam alias Wafadar, was taken into custody in the raid. They added that weapons and explosives were recovered from him.

In a statement, the Rangers said the arrested man was a resident of South Waziristan and was linked to Fitna al Khawarij, a term used by the state for militants associated with the outlawed TTP.

The statement said he had joined the Mufti Noor Wali group in 2014 and had been involved in multiple attacks on security forces’ check posts in South Waziristan.

According to the Rangers statement, the suspect told investigators that he and his accomplices, Khan Mohammed alias Khorai and Naqeebullah alias Mowavia, had carried out improvised explosive device attacks targeting security personnel.

The Rangers further said that after the launch of an operation in South Waziristan, he escaped to Afghanistan. The statement added that he later returned to Pakistan and had been staying in Karachi for some time while in hiding.

“The held terrorist, on the directives of his accomplices in Afghanistan, was organising his group in Karachi to carry out terrorist attacks. Raids are being conducted for arrest of his accomplices,” the Rangers statement said.

Officials said the suspect was later handed over to the CTD police for further legal proceedings.

Details shared by Rangers

The Rangers statement linked the suspect to militant activity in South Waziristan and said he had a history of involvement in attacks on security forces before relocating. It also said his alleged associates remained at large and that efforts were under way to apprehend them.

The operation was carried out jointly by the Rangers and the CTD in the SITE area of Karachi, where the suspect was arrested. Officials did not provide further operational details beyond saying that arms and explosives were seized and that the suspect had been transferred to the CTD for legal action.

The arrest comes as law enforcement agencies continue operations against suspected militants and their networks. In this case, the information regarding the suspect’s background, alleged activities, and links to accomplices was provided by the Rangers in their official statement.