By Moin Ullah Shah
KARACHI: Authorities in Karachi announced the arrest of a highly wanted terrorist linked to the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) following a joint operation by the Sindh Rangers and Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) in Gulshan-e-Iqbal.
The operation, carried out on a tip-off in Block 12, Manzo Goth, resulted in the detention of Asim, the son of Asghar Ali Kalmati Baloch, who had been on security forces’ radar for his involvement in multiple terrorist activities. Weapons, ammunition, and explosive materials were reportedly recovered from his possession.
According to officials, Asim had joined the Fatah-ul-Hindustan wing of the BLA in 2023 under the directives of commander Tariq, known as Sufi, and another operative, Salman Kalmati Baloch. He revealed that he had moved from Karachi to Panwan Jiyuni in Balochistan in 2016 and later became involved in distributing arms, ammunition, and supplies as part of the organization’s terrorist operations.
Following the killing of Tariq by security forces in 2025, Asim went into hiding in the Rimdan area of Iran, vowing with his associates to avenge their commander’s death. He subsequently received further military training at a BLA-affiliated camp abroad, under the guidance of commander Rehan Baloch, and was scheduled to return after Eid for additional preparation.
Security officials also noted that Asim had been highly active on social media, spreading propaganda and inciting youth against state institutions and law enforcement agencies. Authorities said ongoing raids were being conducted to apprehend his remaining associates. The arrest and seizure of weapons were described as a “significant success” in the ongoing counter-terrorism operations in Sindh.
