According to a press release issued by the Korangi District Police spokesperson, the arrests were made during joint operations conducted by the Karachi Police Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and federal intelligence agencies.
The arrested suspects have been identified as Ejaz alias Jallad, Muhammad Rizwan alias Rizwan Pathan, Arshad alias Jalil Hussain, and Irfan alias Ghulam Rasool.
Officials said initial investigations revealed that the suspects belonged to ‘Lashkar Saarullah’ and they were planning more criminal activities in Karachi. They have confessed to receiving instructions and financial support from their foreign handlers.
Meanwhile, in a joint press conference alongside the Sindh Inspector General of Police Ghulam Nabi Memon and the Karachi Police Chief, Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar confirmed that the prime suspect who opened fire on Mir is among those arrested.
Lanjar said that four individuals have been apprehended in connection with the journalist’s murder during joint operations conducted by federal intelligence agencies and Karachi Police. The arrests were made from various areas of the city. He added that the motorcycle and weapons used in the attack, along with other items, have been recovered from the suspects’ possession.
The home minister revealed that the accused were taking instructions from abroad and were affiliated with a banned militant outfit. “The arrested terrorists are educated—some are BBA and matriculate—and have received training from outside the country,” he said. Providing background on the case, Lanjar said that Imtiaz Mir was shot near Kala Board last month and remained under treatment for a week before succumbing to his injuries.
IGP Memon confirmed that the shell casings recovered from the crime scene matched the suspects’ weapons, further linking them to the murder. He commended the Karachi Police for their swift action and announced commendations and rewards for the investigating officers.
Authorities said interrogations are ongoing, and efforts are underway to trace and apprehend other accomplices connected to the crime.