KARACHI: Sindh’s Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) said on Saturday it had uncovered the role of India’s intelligence agency RAW in the targeted killing of a man in Badin district and arrested six suspects.
The CTD said Abdul Rehman, 45, was killed in Matli on May 18. Officials described him as “an innocent citizen who actively participated in welfare work.”
CTD said Indian media celebrated the murder and falsely claimed “an Indian enemy was killed in Pakistan.”
In a joint operation, CTD and intelligence agencies arrested six suspects linked to RAW. Officials said the Sindh Revolutionary Army, a banned group, helped facilitate RAW’s network.
A provincial joint investigation team, led by the CTD deputy inspector general, is reviewing statements, bank records, and other evidence. Teams have been formed for further arrests.
CTD Additional Inspector General Azad Khan told reporters that four suspects — Umair Asghar, Sajjad, Ubaid, and Shakeel — were arrested on July 8. He said interrogation confirmed their links to RAW.
He said the mastermind, identified as Sanjay Kumar alias Fauji, is an Indian agent based in a Gulf country. Kumar recruited a Pakistani, Salman, from Sheikhpura.
On May 12, Salman travelled to Hyderabad with four accomplices. They tracked the victim for five days. Three of them — Shakeel, Ubaid and Sajjad — went to Matli to carry out the killing. Umair and Salman stayed in Hyderabad to coordinate.
Khan said Kumar remained in contact with the group throughout the attack. Afterward, Salman fled via Karachi airport to Nepal.
He added that RAW financed the plot through bank transfers and other channels. CTD arrested two men — Arsalan on Aug 17 and Talha Umair on Aug 22 — for terror financing.
CTD recovered two pistols, a motorcycle, and several mobile phones from the suspects.
Khan said RAW used separatist groups and criminal networks in this case. He described the murder as an “extra-territorial killing” and “state-sponsored terrorism under international law.”
On Monday, an anti-terrorism court remanded suspect Muhammad Arsalan, accused of terror financing and facilitation. CTD said interrogation showed Arsalan and Umair handled the funds, while others carried out the killing. Officials said an Indian national provided the target and paid Rs3 million.
Also Read: CTD arrests key Fitna al Hindustan operative linked to Dr. Usman Qazi
In June, Karachi police arrested four alleged RAW agents in Quaidabad. Officers said the men filmed sensitive installations and sent material to RAW through special software.
