Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah speaking at a ceremony marking the first anniversary of Marka-e-Haq in Karachi. SCREENGRAB
KARACHI:
Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Thursday directed the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) to strengthen intelligence-led operations and enhance security measures to effectively counter evolving terrorist threats in the province.
He issued the directives while chairing a high-level meeting at his office to review the performance of the CTD, the prevailing security situation, ongoing investigations, infrastructure development and the department’s future operational requirements.
The meeting was informed that terrorist incidents in the province had declined significantly in 2026, with nine incidents reported so far compared with 37 in 2025 – a decline of around 76%.
According to CTD data, investigations into seven of the nine incidents had been completed, translating into a detection rate of around 78%. The department told the meeting that it had conducted 918 intelligence-based operations (IBOs) during the year, resulting in the arrest of 87 suspected terrorists, while four militants were killed in encounters.
The meeting was informed that the CTD had dismantled several networks allegedly involved in attacks on police personnel and critical infrastructure.
IG Odho briefed the chief minister on the arrest of key members of a network allegedly linked to the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and involved in targeted killings of police officers during 2025 and 2026.
During an operation in Karachi, the CTD arrested a key suspect and an accomplice. Weapons and explosives were recovered from their possession, and the suspects were allegedly linked to several cases involving the killing of police personnel. The department also reported the recovery of more than 2,000 kilogrammes of explosives during operations against militant networks.
Officials said four militants affiliated with banned insurgent organisations had been killed in encounters, while several planned attacks targeting law enforcement agencies and critical installations had been foiled.
The meeting was further informed that the CTD had dismantled a network allegedly involved in repeated attacks on railway tracks in northern Sindh. The arrests helped foil planned sabotage attempts and prevent further attacks on critical transport infrastructure, officials said.
The provincial police chief also briefed the meeting on progress in the investigation into the attack on the Karachi Transport Company.
Nine suspects have been arrested, while a joint investigation team has been formed. Investigators have conducted multiple rounds of questioning and identified several alleged facilitators, he said.
The CTD also briefed the meeting on operations against elements allegedly involved in planned attacks on law enforcement agencies, drone-assisted terrorist activities and attacks on critical installations. Several suspects linked to sectarian violence and extremist networks were also arrested, officials said.
