CTD Karachi nabs most-wanted terror suspect, recovers hand grenade

According to a CTD spokesperson, Syed Mehdi Nabvi Abidi, who was listed among the top 10 most-wanted suspects on the MQM-L death squad list

KARACHI: The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) Karachi has arrested a key suspected member of a militant network during an intelligence-based operation, officials said on Thursday.

According to a CTD spokesperson, Syed Mehdi Nabvi Abidi, who was listed among the top 10 most-wanted suspects on the MQM-L death squad list, was taken into custody over alleged involvement in planning terrorist activities in Karachi and other parts of the country.

Officials said the suspect was wanted in several terrorism-related cases registered in Karachi. During preliminary interrogation, he allegedly disclosed that following the arrest of two of his associates, he and other members of the network had planned attacks in Karachi and other cities.

The CTD said the suspect had been nominated in multiple cases dating back to 2004 and 2005, including cases involving the killings of religious scholars and the alleged possession of explosives and other prohibited material.

A hand grenade and a loudspeaker were reportedly recovered from his possession during the operation.

Following the arrest, CTD Karachi registered two new cases against the suspect. One was registered under the Explosive Substances Act, 1908, read with Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, while the second was registered under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

The department said further interrogation of the suspect is underway. Special teams have also been formed to trace and arrest other alleged facilitators and members of the network based on information obtained during the investigation.

The CTD maintained that operations against the network would continue as investigators work to establish the full extent of the suspect’s alleged activities and connections.