The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) of Sindh police on Friday claimed it has detained a Special Branch officer for leaking sensitive information to suspected militants regarding raids conducted by law enforcement personnel, owing to which the police failed in apprehending them.

CTD SSP Naveed Khowaja told Dawn that the officer, identified as Irfan, worked as a 'locator operator' in the Special Branch.

Whenever the CTD team would raid suspected militant hideouts, the locator could not be reached as his phone would be switched off, Khowaja said.

"This raised suspicion that someone was leaking information to the suspects about the raids," the senior police officer added.

The CTD SSP alleged that it was because of Irfan that his team failed to apprehend at least seven militants involved in terrorism and sectarian cases.

A case has been registered against the officer for ‘facilitating’ terrorists.

An investigation is underway to determine whether Irfan informed the suspected militants about the raids for monetary benefits or due to ideological reasons.