Pakistani paramilitary forces in two separate raids have killed at least seven militants who were plotting to carry out a series of terrorist attacks across the southern port city of Karachi.
Pakistani security sources said on Tuesday that the first operation was carried out overnight in the Mominabad neighborhood of Karachi, where paramilitary forces known as the Pakistan Rangers launched a targeted operation on an intelligence tip-off.
The security forces managed to kill three militants during an ensuing exchange of fire while a fourth blew himself up.
Three more militants were killed during a separate security operation in another area of the volatile city on Tuesday morning. At least one paramilitary trooper was also injured in the clashes.
Security forces managed to seize a large amount of arms and ammunition from the militants’ hideouts.
A statement by Rangers said that the militants were plotting subversive activities, including targeted bombings and killings across the troubled city. “There were authentic intelligence reports that the terrorists were plotting to use the explosives to carry out a big terrorist attack in Karachi.”
The development came days after the massacre of nearly 50 Ismaili Shia Muslims in the port city. The attack was claimed by the pro-Taliban Jundullah militant group, which had previously allied itself to the Takfiri ISIL terrorists.
Pro-Taliban militants have carried out numerous attacks against Pakistani security forces as well as civilians despite frequent offensives by the Pakistani army.
Pakistan entered an alliance with the United States in the so-called war on terror in 2001. Since then, thousands of people have died in bombings and other militant attacks across the country.
JR/HSN