Militant leader arrested for killing Chinese workers in Pakistan

KARACHI: The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) in Sindh announced the arrest of a local militant leader, here on Thursday.

The militant, identified as Muhammad Hanif, was involved in violent activities targeting paramilitary personnel, Chinese workers and a prominent religious-political party in the country.

Hanif, a member of the outlawed separatist group Sindh Revolutionary Army (SRA), was arrested from Shaheed Benazirabad (formerly Nawab Shah) district.

According to an official statement, the arrest also led to the seizure of large quantities of explosives and detonators.

The SRA is notorious for its violent campaign to promote Sindhi independence, including attacks on law enforcement agencies and government institutions. The group has also attacked Chinese nationals working on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects, reflecting its opposition to foreign investment in the region.

According to the CTD statement, “460 grams of explosives, one hand grenade, and seven detonators as well as one battery and adapter were recovered from the possession of the accused.”

The statement further revealed that Hanif was planning to detonate a train from Sindh to Punjab to fuel terrorism. Thanks to timely information from sensitive agencies, he was arrested during an intelligence-based operation before he could execute his plan.

The CTD also revealed a list of militant activities that Hanif allegedly confessed to during his interrogation. This includes two attacks on Rangers in Sindh in 2019 that killed six paramilitary personnel.

In 2020, Hanif allegedly attempted to detonate a vehicle carrying Chinese workers using a magnetic explosive device, although the plan failed. In the same year, he opened fire on Chinese citizens in Karachi, injuring one.

The CTD statement also indicated that Hanif targeted a Jamaat-e-Islami rally in 2020, killing 6 people and injuring 20.

Hanif admitted receiving militant training in Kandahar, Afghanistan, where he traveled twice to learn how to use various weapons and make improvised explosive devices.

They have been charged under the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997.