By Staff Reporter
KARACHI: The counterterrorism officials announced on Saturday the arrest of a Karachi man they say was secretly procuring commercial drones, explosive material and electronic components for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, acting on directions from his brother, a wanted militant currently sheltering in Afghanistan.
The suspect, identified by the Counter-Terrorism Department as Tahir, was taken into custody in a joint operation between the CTD’s Sindh chapter and a federal civilian intelligence agency. Investigators described him as a crucial link in a supply chain that they say has been funneling drone technology and bomb-making materials to a group responsible for a string of militant attacks in Pakistan.
According to the CTD, Tahir’s brother — identified as Talal, also known as Zaid Baloch — is an active TTP operative listed among the department’s most-wanted militants. Officials say Talal has been directing procurement operations from across the Afghan border, using his brother as a local buyer with access to Karachi’s sprawling electronics markets.
The alleged shopping list was detailed and specific. CTD officials say Tahir purchased drone motors, frames, propellers, batteries and controller boards, as well as Google Pixel 3 and OnePlus mobile phones, Mini DJI and Air 2 commercial drones, chips, inverters and other electronic components. The equipment was sourced from established markets in the city — including Saddar, Bolton Market and Ranchore Line — as well as through online platforms, according to investigators.
During initial interrogation, the CTD said, Tahir admitted that the materials were intended for use in the construction of improvised explosive devices, suicide jackets and drone-based attacks. Investigators recovered two kilograms of explosive material, a drone with its battery, and a remote control from the suspect’s possession.
The arrest reflects a broader and growing concern among the security agencies about the TTP’s increasing use of drone technology in its attacks. Militant groups across South Asia and the Middle East have adapted commercially available drones — inexpensive, widely sold, and easily modified — into weapons platforms capable of delivering explosives with precision.
Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar praised the operation in a statement on Saturday, singling out CTD Deputy Inspector General Azfar Mahesar and Senior Superintendent of Police Irfan Bahadur for their roles in coordinating the arrest. The minister called the operation a product of effective intelligence-sharing and what he described as a “timely response” by law enforcement.
“This arrest marks an important breakthrough in disrupting networks involved in facilitating terrorist groups,” Lanjar said, adding that authorities would press ahead with efforts to dismantle remaining cells and bring other facilitators before the courts.
The CTD said further investigations and follow-up operations were underway based on intelligence obtained during and after Tahir’s arrest. Officials did not say whether additional suspects had been identified or whether any of the procured equipment had already been transferred to TTP operatives.
The TTP, which is distinct from but ideologically aligned with the Afghan Taliban, has waged a sustained insurgency against the Pakistani state for nearly two decades. The group has intensified its operations in recent years, particularly since the Afghan Taliban’s return to power in Kabul in 2021, which provided it with increased operational space across the border.
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