KARACHI: An antiterrorism court (ATC) on Tuesday remanded two suspects, including the alleged mastermind of a suicide bombing near Karachi airport that killed two Chinese nationals and a Pakistani citizen, in police custody for 10 days.

On Tuesday, suspects Javed and his female aide, Gul Nisa, said to be associated with the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), were brought to the ATC court in Clifton in a armoured personnel carrier (APC) amid tight security.

At the outset of the remand proceedings, the investigating officer (IO) of the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) submitted a report and stated that three persons were killed and at least 11 others were injured in the suicide attack near Jinnah International Airport last month.

The IO informed the court that the two suspects were arrested on a tip-off and during grilling, suspect Javed disclosed that he had conducted reconnaissance at the scene along with an absconding suspect Danish, who was said to be an explosives expert.

Regarding the female suspect, the IO claimed that she had facilitated suicide bomber Shah Fahad by helping him cross the Hub toll plaza.

The IO named BLA commanders Bashir Ahmed, alias Bashir Zeb, and Abdul Rehman, alias Rehman Gul, as alleged planners of the attack.

He requested the court to order formation of joint investigation team (JIT) to conduct further inquiries with the suspects and sought one-month remand to check their criminal records and to apprehend absconding suspects.

After hearing the IO, the court remanded the duo in police custody for 10 days and directed the provincial home department to form a JIT for further investigation into the matter.

Published in Dawn, November 13th, 2024

Opinion

Editorial

Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...
Islamabad protest
Updated 20 Nov, 2024

Islamabad protest

As Nov 24 draws nearer, both the PTI and the Islamabad administration must remain wary and keep within the limits of reason and the law.
PIA uncertainty
20 Nov, 2024

PIA uncertainty

THE failed attempt to privatise the national flag carrier late last month has led to a fierce debate around the...
T20 disappointment
20 Nov, 2024

T20 disappointment

AFTER experiencing the historic high of the One-day International series triumph against Australia, Pakistan came...