Intelligence agency foils major terror bid targeting PAF Masroor Airbase in Karachi

In a major development, the country’s premier intelligence agency has foiled a major terror plot aimed at carrying out a deadly attack on the strategically important Masroor airbase in Karachi, intelligence sources have revealed.

According to officials, the mastermind of the plan is a commander of the Afghanistan-based terrorist group Fitna al-Khawarij, which leads the group’s dangerous suicide bombers.

The plot involved nine highly trained terrorists, five of whom were Afghan nationals, led by a high-profile commander of Fitna al-Khawarij who is already wanted in several terrorism cases. These terrorists had recently infiltrated into Pakistan from Afghanistan.

They intended to infiltrate into the airbase at a designated location, capture it, destroy aircraft and infrastructure and keep the airbase in their possession for as long as possible. Their aim was to inflict maximum damage and a long gun battle until death.

The operation was reportedly carried out under the direct supervision of the top leadership of Afghanistan-based Fitna al-Khawarij and involved a nearly 13-month plan. The terrorists had taken up residence near the airbase and carried out extensive reconnaissance of the area. However, the intelligence agency was keeping a close watch on their movements. As the attackers were about to begin the final phase of their plot, the agency launched a swift, covert and coordinated operation across the country and arrested the suspects from various locations.

The agency not only protected the strategically important airbase but also destroyed a key terrorist network of Fitna al-Khawarij involved in several previous attacks (including the November 2024 attack on Chinese engineers at the Liberty Textile Mill in Karachi’s Site area).

The same Fitna al-Khawarij commander captured in the current operation is believed to have also masterminded the attack on the Karachi site before fleeing to Afghanistan.

Officials are of the opinion that the mastermind is an expert in landmines (IEDs) who trained in Afghanistan and fought alongside the Afghan Taliban during battles with NATO and coalition forces.

Preliminary investigations indicate the involvement of hostile intelligence agencies in the incident, which are allegedly providing financial support and equipment to terrorist elements in an attempt to destabilise Pakistan.

Officials pointed to a similar terror plot that failed last October, in which Fitna al-Khawarij and enemy agencies conspired to sabotage a major international event in Islamabad.

Despite these threats, Pakistan’s armed forces, intelligence agencies and law enforcement agencies remain steadfast in their goal of protecting the nation.

The authorities reaffirmed their commitment to root out terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and to safeguard national security through coordinated, sustained vigilance.