KARACHI – In a major breakthrough against sectarian terrorism, the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and a federal sensitive agency conducted a joint operation on University Road, resulting in the arrest of a high-profile target killer associated with the banned outfit, Zainabiyoun.
The Arrest
The apprehended suspect has been identified as Muhammad Farhan Khan, son of Muhammad Ismail. According to a CTD spokesperson, the operation was intelligence-based, targeting members of the Zainabiyoun Brigade—a group notorious for orchestrating numerous religious and sectarian attacks in the past.
Confession and Motive
During the initial investigation, the suspect made chilling revelations regarding his involvement in high-profile killings. Farhan confessed that he, along with an accomplice, targeted Mufti Qaiser Farooq, the Imam of Masjid Abu Bakr, on the 12th of Rabi-ul-Awwal in Federal B Area, Block 20. The primary motive behind the assassination was to incite sectarian unrest in the city. A young child, identified as Umar s/o Shakir, was also critically injured during the shooting.
Recovery and Legal Action
Authorities have recovered the murder weapon, a 9mm pistol, from the suspect’s possession. While a case for the murder of Mufti Qaiser Farooq was already registered at the Samanabad Police Station, a fresh FIR under the Sindh Arms Act has now been lodged at the CTD police station against Farhan Khan.
Ongoing Investigation
The CTD spokesperson stated that further disclosures are expected as the interrogation continues. Joint teams have been formed to track down Farhan’s accomplices and other target killers linked to the organization. Raids are currently being conducted across various parts of the city to eliminate the remaining sleeper cells.
