3 'SRA terrorists' arrested for firing at Independence Day stall in Karachi, killing owner: CTD

The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) announced on Wednesday that three men affiliated with the banned Sindhudesh Revolutionary Army (SRA) had been arrested for firing at an Independence Day stall in Karachi, resulting in the death of the stall owner. According to the CTD, the incident took place on August 12 near Sunset Boulevard in Karachi's Defence Housing Authority Phase 2.

The stall owner, identified as Aman from Korangi’s Christian Town, had been selling national flags and badges since the beginning of August. After the attack, a case was registered at the Defence police station, and the CTD, along with a federal intelligence agency, launched a joint operation to apprehend the perpetrators. During the operation on August 18, the arrested men, identified as Zafar Ali, Faraz, and Sajjad Ahmad, were found to be carrying three hand grenades and a pistol.

They revealed during questioning that they had been tasked by an SRA member living outside Pakistan, named Arsalan Shah, to target Independence Day stalls in Karachi. The investigation revealed that Sajjad had begun scouting Independence Day stalls since August 3, ultimately targeting the stall in DHA Phase 2 on August 11. The arrested men claimed they had received financial support from abroad to create fear and panic in Karachi ahead of August 14.

The SRA was banned by the interior ministry in 2020, along with other groups, for their involvement in various acts of terrorism, including attacks on cargo trawlers, railway tracks, and law enforcement personnel.