Sindh records 76% drop in terrorism incidents in 2…

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah chaired a high-level meeting on the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), where officials reviewed the province’s security situation, operational performance, investigations, infrastructure and future requirements.

Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, Home Secretary, Inspector General of Police Javed Alam Odho, Additional IG CTD Zulfiqar Larik and other senior officials attended the meeting.

The meeting was informed that banned militant and insurgent organisations continue to pose a security challenge to Sindh. However, officials said terrorist incidents in the province had declined significantly during 2026.

According to Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar, Sindh reported 37 terrorism incidents in 2025. The number fell to nine in 2026, representing a decline of around 76 per cent.

The Sindh police chief told the meeting that seven of the nine terrorism cases reported this year had been traced and their investigations completed.

Officials said the CTD conducted 918 intelligence-based operations across the province during 2026. These operations resulted in the arrest of 87 suspected terrorists, while four militants were killed in separate encounters.

The briefing said the CTD had dismantled several militant networks allegedly involved in attacks on police personnel and sensitive installations.

During a follow-up operation in Karachi, the department arrested a key suspect and an associate. Weapons and explosive material were also recovered from their possession. The suspects are allegedly wanted in several cases involving the targeted killing of police officers.

According to the IG Sindh, more than 2,000 kilograms of explosive material were recovered during operations against militant networks. Four militants affiliated with banned insurgent organisations were also killed in encounters.

The home minister said several planned attacks on law enforcement agencies and important installations had been foiled.

He added that the CTD had also dismantled a network allegedly involved in attacks on railway tracks in northern Sindh. The operation helped prevent planned acts of sabotage, officials said.

The meeting also reviewed progress in the investigation into the Karachi Training Centre attack.

The police chief told the chief minister that nine suspects had so far been arrested in the case. A Joint Investigation Team has also been formed to conduct a detailed probe.

Officials said several investigative sessions had been held during the inquiry and a number of alleged facilitators had been identified. The investigation is still under way.

The meeting was also briefed on the performance of the CTD Fusion Centre. Officials said the centre had significantly improved the collection and analysis of intelligence as well as digital investigations.

Hundreds of social media accounts allegedly linked to extremist activities have also been blocked or reported, according to the briefing.

The Sindh home minister proposed additional resources for modern intelligence software and digital forensic tools.

He also called for strengthening crime analytics platforms and systems equipped with artificial intelligence to improve the department’s ability to identify and respond to emerging security threats.

The meeting was further informed that major projects for the development of CTD infrastructure across Sindh were under way.

Officials said construction of a separate CTD complex in Sukkur had also begun under the province’s Annual Development Programme.