3 SRA suspects arrested for killing Independence Day stall owner in Karachi

Three suspected members of the banned Sindhudesh Revolutionary Army (SRA) have been arrested in Karachi over the killing of a man at an Independence Day stall, the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) said on Wednesday.

The suspects — Zafar Ali, Faraz and Sajjad Ahmad — were arrested near Korangi Causeway on August 18 during a joint operation by the CTD and a federal intelligence agency.

Three hand grenades and a pistol were recovered from them, according to the department.

The suspects are accused of killing Aman, a Korangi resident who was running a stall selling national flags and badges in DHA Phase 2 near Sunset Boulevard. He was shot at around 11:30pm on August 12 and later died of his injuries.

The attack prompted a joint investigation after a case was registered at Defence police station. The CTD said investigators used technical evidence and other information to trace the suspects.

During interrogation, the suspects allegedly told investigators that they were members of the SRA and had been assigned to attack Independence Day stalls in Karachi. They allegedly received instructions from an SRA member based abroad, whom the CTD identified as Arsalan Shah.