Pakistan Arrests Karachi Attack Suspect, Alleges Afghan-Based Plot

DID Press: Pakistani police say they have arrested Qari Bashir, also known as Qari Habib, whom authorities describe as the alleged mastermind behind last month’s deadly attack on a Pakistan Rangers compound in Karachi. Officials also claimed the attackers had received military training in Afghanistan, although no public evidence has been presented to support the allegation.

The announcement was made on Tuesday during a joint press conference by Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar, Sindh’s provincial home minister, and Irfan Bahadur, Karachi’s Additional Inspector General of Police. Pakistani authorities described the arrest as a major breakthrough in the investigation into the June 27 attack, which killed three Rangers personnel and wounded four others.

According to Irfan Bahadur, the planning, coordination and direction of the attack were carried out from Afghanistan. He alleged that the assailants had undergone military training there before being deployed to Karachi. Bahadur claimed that four Afghan nationals were sent to carry out the operation and that a support network inside Karachi facilitated logistics while coordinating with individuals based in Afghanistan.

Police said the operation was executed in four stages, with the final phase involving the distribution of weapons, ammunition and suicide vests to the attackers.

Pakistani authorities identified the suicide bomber as Janan, allegedly from Farah Province. Another attacker was identified as Bilal, also known as Hadi, who was originally from Bajaur before later moving to Kandahar. A third assailant killed in the attack was identified as Omar Farooq from Kunar Province. The suspect arrested at the scene was identified as Usman Sher Mohammad from Nangarhar Province.

Pakistani officials have not publicly released evidence to substantiate their claim that the attack was directed from Afghanistan.