Pakistan nabs mastermind of Karachi bus attack

Security forces in Pakistan have arrested the mastermind of a bloody attack on a bus that killed over 40 minority Ismaili Shiites in the port city of Karachi, a cabinet minister said on Wednesday.

The Islamic State and the banned Jundullah group had claimed responsibility for the May 13 attack.

Interior Minister Ch. Nisar Ali Khan told reporters that several others involved in the bus attack were also detained. He said those arrested belong to different groups; however, he did not identify the groups.

"The arrest is a big achievement that the culprits have been nabbed within just four days," Khan said.

The Ismailis came under attack when they were heading to their worship place. Some 45 people, including 16 women, were killed in the attack and several others were injured.

Official say that six terrorists were involved in the attack and they had fled the scene on three motorbikes.

Syed Qaim Ali Shah, chief of Sindh Province of which Karachi is the capital, said security officials believed the al-Qaida Indian sub-continent branch was behind the attack. Endi