The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) announced the arrest of four suspects linked to India’s intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), claiming to have exposed a major terrorist network and safe houses operating in Karachi. According to the CTD, the operation was carried out jointly with federal intelligence agencies, and a total of six suspects working for RAW have been arrested so far.
CTD Additional Inspector General Azad Khan stated in a press conference that the men were apprehended on July 8 in connection with the murder of a 45-year-old man in Badin on May 18, 2025. During their interrogation, investigators unearthed a wider network allegedly run by a RAW handler named Sanjay, based abroad, who orchestrated the plot.
Khan reported that the suspects conducted reconnaissance for five days in Matli, Badin, before carrying out the killing. CCTV footage and eyewitness accounts also identified three of the arrested men at the crime scene. He added that the Indian media had celebrated the murder, further underscoring RAW’s involvement. The handler was identified as Sanjay Sanjeev Kumar, based in a Gulf state, who had recruited two Pakistanis for the operation.
The network included a gang formed by a suspect named Salman, comprising Umair, Sajad, Obaid, and Shakeel. Khan revealed that RAW had spent a large sum on the operation, transferring funds through bank channels and other sources. Sanjay, also known as “Fouji,” sent money from the Gulf states to Salman, who later met the arrested suspects in Hyderabad. The suspects stayed in a local hotel for five days before traveling to Matli to execute the plot. Following the attack, Salman fled to Nepal. Investigators confirmed that the money transferred through bank accounts provided proof of terror financing, leading to a registered case of terrorism financing.
The arrested individuals were identified as Amir Asghar, Sajad, Obaid, Shakeel, Arslan, and Talha Umair. The CTD official stated that the arrests were made based on technical evidence obtained during the investigation. Authorities recovered a 9mm pistol, a 30-bore pistol, mobile phones, and a motorcycle from their possession. Khan further revealed that the victim, Abdur Rehman, was a local barber known for his welfare work, who was shot dead outside his shop on May 18. The suspects had conducted surveillance of the victim on May 13.
The CTD official added that RAW not only directed the operation but also used a separatist organization as a proxy. Investigators found clear evidence that a proscribed organization facilitated the attack. Khan remarked that “such acts of terrorism fall under the category of state-sponsored terrorism,” adding that Pakistan would raise the matter at every forum. He stressed that RAW’s involvement was fully established, as the suspects had admitted to working as agents for the Indian agency. Their travel history was also in the possession of investigators. Khan confirmed that more arrests are expected as probes into the suspects’ statements, recoveries, bank transactions, and RAW’s role continue.
