Karachi, August 23, 2025: The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) on Saturday said it has dismantled a network linked to India’s intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), with the arrest of six suspects in Karachi.
According to officials, the operation was carried out jointly with federal intelligence agencies, exposing alleged RAW-backed safe houses and operatives working inside Pakistan.
CTD Additional Inspector General (AIG) Azad Khan told reporters that the suspects were picked up on July 8 during investigations into the killing of Abdur Rehman, a 45-year-old barber and welfare worker who was gunned down outside his shop in Badin’s Matli town on May 18.
Khan said the attackers had carried out surveillance for several days before the murder, with CCTV footage and eyewitnesses placing three of them at the scene. “Indian media openly celebrated the incident, which confirms RAW’s hand behind it,” he claimed.
Investigators later linked the suspects to a handler identified as Sanjay Sanjeev Kumar, alias “Fouji,” reportedly based in a Gulf state. Kumar allegedly recruited Pakistanis through a local contact, Salman, who arranged funding and logistics. The CTD said money was routed through bank accounts and other channels to finance the plot.
Salman and his associates — Umair, Sajad, Obaid, and Shakeel — allegedly stayed at a Hyderabad hotel before travelling to Matli for the attack. After the killing, Salman reportedly fled to Nepal.
The arrested men were named as Amir Asghar, Sajad, Obaid, Shakeel, Arslan, and Talha Umair. CTD officials said weapons, mobile phones, and a motorcycle were seized from them.
Khan further alleged that a banned separatist group had facilitated the operation, describing it as “state-sponsored terrorism.” He added that Pakistan would take up the matter at international forums.
“The suspects have confessed to working as RAW agents. Their travel records and financial transactions are in our possession,” Khan said, warning that more arrests are likely as the investigation continues.
