Karachi: Karachi Rangers Attack mastermind Qari Bashir has been arrested after investigators uncovered a network of alleged facilitators involved in the June 27 assault on a Sindh Rangers camp in Karachi’s Gulistan-e-Jauhar area, Sindh’s top security officials said.

Addressing a joint press conference, Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar, Inspector General of Police Javed Alam Odho, Additional IG CTD Zulfiqar Lark and SSP CTD Irfan Bahadur said four militants carried out the attack on the Sindh Rangers’ Karachi Transport Company headquarters. Officials claimed that three of the attackers were Afghan nationals, while the fourth belonged to Bajaur and had spent nearly two decades in Afghanistan.

Authorities alleged that handlers based in Afghanistan directed the attackers throughout the operation. According to officials, the militants intended to take hostages and inflict heavy casualties, but Rangers foiled the plan. Three attackers were killed during the operation, while one was arrested after sustaining injuries.

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SSP CTD Irfan Bahadur said investigators divided the operation into four stages: planning in Afghanistan, the movement of militants into Pakistan, support from local facilitators, and the supply of weapons and suicide vests.

Officials identified the attackers as Janan, an alleged suicide bomber from Afghanistan; a second militant from Bajaur; Umar Farooq from Afghanistan’s Kunar province; and Usman, who was arrested alive and is said to be from Nangarhar province.

The CTD alleged that Noor Wali, Sher Ali, Saeed Shah, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar chief Basir alias Ahrar and others were involved in planning the attack. Officials described Qari Bashir as the operation’s mastermind and said he was tasked with coordinating the assault after being called from Pakistan to Afghanistan.

Investigators said Qari Bashir confessed to his role during questioning. Authorities also claimed they recovered videos from his mobile phone showing preparations for the attack and the militants leaving for the target.

According to the CTD, the suspects travelled through Balochistan before reaching Hub and later entered Karachi, where Qari Bashir allegedly arranged rented accommodation for the attackers. Officials said 13 people were involved in facilitating the operation.

Authorities further alleged that Afghanistan-based networks continue to provide training, logistical support and safe havens to militant groups before sending them into Pakistan. They also claimed that Qari Bashir identified individuals allegedly involved in supplying weapons used in the attack.

The allegations and confessions presented during the press conference reflect the claims of Pakistani security officials. They have not been independently verified.