In a major breakthrough, Karachi police on Sunday claimed to have arrested a high-ranking terrorist linked to the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), responsible for orchestrating numerous attacks on military camps and vehicles, resulting in the deaths of several soldiers.
The suspect, identified as Mairaj, alias Mama, was captured in the jurisdiction of Baghdad Police Station in Lyari district. According to the district city police spokesperson, Mairaj was actively involved in reconnaissance missions for the BLA and collected sensitive information about security agencies and institutions.
The spokesman said the suspect maintained direct communication with BLA Commander Jalal of the Majeed Brigade, providing him with key information. During the arrest, the police seized a hand grenade from the suspect, which further indicates his involvement in violent activities, the spokeswoman added.
He said an analysis of the suspect’s cellphone records revealed he had access to BLA training videos, underscoring his deep-rooted ties to the terrorist organization.
In 2017, Mairaj was conducting surveillance on an army convoy traveling from Turbat to Gwadar in Balochistan, thereby facilitating a deadly attack that resulted in the martyrdom of Pakistan Army soldiers, he added. Police alleged that the suspect was also involved in espionage, targeting an army camp located on the premises of a school in Balochistan Naseerabad, which led to the deadly attacks on soldiers.
Officials said Mairaj helped assassinate four persons, who happened to be relatives of an intelligence agency officer, by collecting information about them.
Police said the suspect also played a role in orchestrating an attack on the Gwadar port during Ramazan that claimed the lives of several soldiers. Mairaj was also involved in an attack on army personnel in Nushki that resulted in the loss of many lives, they added.
