Pakistani forces bust "terrorist groups' nexus" in Karachi

Pakistani security forces have busted a nexus of the al-Qaeda sub-continent, the dreaded sectarian group "Lashkar-e-Jhangvi" and the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan in Karachi, the military said on Friday.

The three groups were involved in series of major attacks on the security forces and sensitive installations across the country, particularly in the eastern Punjab province, the army spokesman, Lt. General Asim Bajwa said at a press conference in Karachi.

"The al-Qaeda sub-continent and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi were coordinating planning and attacks with the TTP," he said.

The army spokesman said that a total of 94 hardcore terrorists, including three high value targets and 26 terrorists with significant head money, have been arrested. Over a dozen explosive experts are also among those nabbed. He said they were wanted to the state and to the provincial security officials.

"All the groups were making plans in Karachi," General Bajwa said, adding that some terrorists have been killed while some are at large. He said that some wanted men have fled to Afghanistan.

He said that latest weapons were also recovered during the operations in Karachi.

The army spokesman said that the terrorists usually travel in passenger buses and live in the houses of locals to avoid arrest. He warned the facilitators to face action if any terrorist take shelter with them.

General Bajwa said that security situation in Karachi has improved substantially after the operation was launched in 2014 against the militant and criminal groups.

"There has been 70 percent reduction in target killing, 85 percent in extortion cases and 90 percent decrease in the cases of kidnappings for ransom," he said.

"More has to be done. The operation will continue unless complete peace is returned to Karachi," the army spokesman said. Enditem