Rangers arrest wanted militant in Karachi

Rangers arrest wanted militant in Karachi

Pakistan Rangers arrested a wanted militant linked to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), often referred to by authorities as “Fitna al-Khawarij,” during an intelligence-based operation in Karachi’s Shah Latif Town.

According to a Rangers spokesperson, the suspect, identified as Javed Ali Khan, alias “Swati,” originally belongs to Swat district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He joined the Fazlullah faction of the TTP in 2007 and later became involved in several terrorist activities in the region.

Authorities said Khan played a role in attacks on schools and a police checkpoint in Shakardara and Shakarderi, where militants used improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to destroy public infrastructure. He also allegedly took part in an attack on Matta police station, during which militants looted government weapons and set the facility on fire.

During security operations in 2008, Khan reportedly went into hiding in Mingora before fleeing abroad. He returned to Pakistan in 2022 and resumed militant activities. Officials linked him to an attack that killed three civilians and injured two others.

Following security crackdowns in Swat, Khan moved to Karachi to avoid arrest and allegedly started organizing a network to plan further militant operations. Rangers tracked his movements and apprehended him during the latest operation.

The Rangers spokesperson added that Khan was wanted by the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) in Swat. After his arrest, authorities handed him over to CTD Swat for further investigation and legal proceedings.