'Terrorists' held over deadly flag stall attack

The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and a federal sensitive agency claimed on Wednesday to have arrested three suspected terrorists affiliated with a Sindhi nationalist group during a joint raid in the metropolis. Speaking at a press briefing, CTD SSP Irfan Bahadur said the suspects had opened fire on a stall selling Pakistani flags and Independence Day decorations in DHA Phase II on August 12. The arrested suspects were identified as Sajjad Mallah, Faraz and Zafar. Police claimed to have recovered three hand grenades and a pistol from their possession. According to Bahadur, a suspected terrorist identified as Arsalan Shah allegedly sent funds to the suspects from abroad during the first week of August and assigned them the task of carrying out an attack in Karachi before Independence Day. The suspects allegedly conducted reconnaissance of the target two days before the attack before opening fire on the flag stall, police said. The suspects are affiliated with the banned Sindhudesh Revolutionary Army (SRA), which police alleged was backed by an Indian proxy. Police said efforts were under way to dismantle the remaining network of the suspects and arrest other members involved in the planned attack. According to details shared at the briefing, 35-year-old flag seller Aman was shot near a Shell petrol station in Akhter Colony on August 12. Three bullets were fired during the attack, one of which struck Aman in the upper left side of his body between the chest and shoulder. He was rushed to a medical facility for treatment but succumbed to his injuries, according to the briefing.