CTD guns down three terrorists during exchange of fire in Karachi’s Manghopir

At least three suspected terrorists were gunned down by police during a raid in Karachi’s Manghopir area in the early hours of Monday. The militants were shot dead after they exchanged fire with the police, according to the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD).

The operation was conducted on a tip-off that terrorists belonging to the banned Fitna Al Khawarij, were hiding in the neighbourhood in Manghopir. 

When the police cordoned off the area, the suspects opened fire, prompting retaliation that resulted in the death of all three militants.

According to the DSP CTD Raja Umar Khattab, two were identified as Zafran and Qudratullah, while one has remained unrecognised so far. 

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"Zafran had a bounty of Rs20 million placed on his head by the government, while the third suspect has yet to be identified," Khattab said while speaking outside Civil Hospital Karachi. 

The CTD claimed that one of the terrorists was a suicide bomber, who was believed to be part of an attack on Chinese nationals in Karachi.

DSP Khattan said the officials were collecting information about the owner of the property where terrorists hid themselves.

A recent report on extremist violence revealed that while Pakistan experienced a slight increase in terrorist attacks in May 2025, a period that also saw tensions with India, the security agencies managed to keep extremist violence largely contained.

According to data from the Islamabad-based Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), militant attacks increased by 5% compared to April. 

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The monthly security report documented 85 incidents in May, up from 81 the previous month, indicating that militant activity remained largely under control despite the broader geopolitical strain.

These attacks led to 113 deaths, including 52 members of the security forces, 46 civilians, 11 militants, and four peace committee members. 

Additionally, 182 people were injured,130 civilians, 47 security personnel, four militants, and one peace committee member.

Although the overall rise in attacks was modest, a closer look at the data reveals troubling developments. Notably, fatalities among security forces rose sharply by 73%, highlighting the ongoing risks faced by Pakistan’s military and law enforcement agencies.