Alleged mastermind of Karachi Rangers Camp attack arrested, say Sindh authorities

• Home minister says June 27 assault was planned by Afghanistan-based handlers and backed by a local facilitation network

• Qari Bashir identified as key facilitator allegedly confesses to arranging logistics, weapons and safe house for attackers

• Officials say four terrorists targeted Rangers headquarters, but swift response foiled hostage plan, killing three and capturing one alive

• CTD claims attackers were trained at militant camps in Afghanistan before infiltrating Pakistan through multiple routes

 KARACHI: Sindh authorities on Tuesday announced the arrest of Qari Bashir, the alleged mastermind and chief local facilitator behind the June 27 terrorist attack on a Sindh Rangers camp in Karachi's Gulistan-e-Jauhar, saying the investigation had uncovered an Afghanistan-based planning network, cross-border infiltration routes and a local facilitation chain allegedly “involved in orchestrating the assault.”

ہماری سیکیورٹی فورسز، پاکستان رینجرز سندھ اور سندھ پولیس نے ہمیشہ عوام کے تعاون سے دشمن کے ناپاک عزائم کو ناکام بنایا ہے۔ 27 جون 2026 کو دشمن نے کراچی میں امن و امان کو سبوتاژ کرنے کی ناکام کوشش کی، جس کے دوران چار دہشت گردوں نے کے ٹی سی (کراچی ٹرانسپورٹ کمپنی) کے قریب پاکستان… pic.twitter.com/bpJQjB7bM5

— Home & Law Department, Govt of Sindh (@HomeSindh) July 14, 2026

The announcement was made during a joint press conference addressed by Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hasan Lanjar, Inspector General of Police Javaid Alam Odho, Additional IG Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) Zulfiqar Larrk and SSP CTD Irfan Bahadur.

Speaking to reporters, Lanjar said four terrorists attacked the Sindh Rangers' Karachi Transport Company headquarters on June 27. Three of the attackers were Afghan nationals, while the fourth belonged to Bajaur and had reportedly lived in Afghanistan for nearly two decades.

He said the attackers were directed by handlers operating from Afghanistan and intended to take hostages and inflict heavy casualties. However, the assault was thwarted by the swift response of Sindh Rangers, who killed three of the attackers while capturing the fourth alive despite his injuries.

Briefing the media on the investigation, SSP CTD Irfan Bahadur said the operation comprised four stages: planning in Afghanistan, infiltration of terrorists into Pakistan, facilitation by a local support network and the delivery of weapons and suicide vests.

According to investigators, one suicide bomber, identified as Janan, was an Afghan national. Another attacker was from Bajaur, while a third, Umar Farooq, hailed from Afghanistan's Kunar province. The fourth terrorist, who was captured alive, belongs to Afghanistan's Nangarhar province.

Bahadur alleged that the attack had been planned by senior militants, including Noor Wali, Sher Ali, Saeed Shah and Basir alias Ahrar, the chief of Jamaat-ul-Ahrar (JUA). He said Qari Bashir was summoned from Pakistan to Afghanistan, where he was assigned the mission before returning to facilitate the operation.

Authorities said Rangers later arrested Qari Bashir, who has allegedly confessed to his role in planning and facilitating the attack.

Investigators said the attackers were selected in Afghanistan, where they underwent training at two separate camps before being sent to Pakistan. The surviving militant, Usman, reportedly admitted during interrogation that he had been recruited from a religious seminary in Afghanistan and received specialised militant training before crossing into Pakistan.

Officials said the group entered Pakistan through various routes, travelled across Balochistan to Hub and then reached Karachi by vehicle. Qari Bashir allegedly rented a safe house for the attackers and coordinated logistical arrangements. A total of 13 individuals are believed to have been involved in the operation.

The CTD further claimed that all key planners remain in Afghanistan, where, according to Pakistani authorities, militant groups maintain safe havens and training facilities used to prepare operatives for attacks inside Pakistan.

During the press conference, investigators played video footage of Qari Bashir's alleged confession, along with a video statement by suicide bomber Janan. Authorities also displayed videos recovered from Qari Bashir's mobile phone, which they said showed the attackers preparing for and departing on the mission.

According to Qari Bashir's recorded statement, TTP commander Saeed Shah instructed him to receive and distribute weapons. He alleged that he collected assault rifles, hand grenades and other arms from intermediaries in Karachi before handing them over to the attackers near Korangi Crossing. He further claimed that a six-member network, including Rahim Afridi, was involved in supplying the weapons.

Officials said the investigation was continuing to identify and apprehend the remaining members of the alleged facilitation network.