KARACHI: An antiterrorism court (ATC) on Friday remanded two suspects, said to be associated with Indian intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), in police custody in a case pertaining to possessing illicit weapons and explosives.

The investigating officer (IO) of the case brought suspects Sheikh Mohammad Ayub, alias Ayub Ansari and Ahsan Raza before the ATC judge in Clifton.

The IO requested the judge to grant their 14-day police remand for further interrogation. However, the court remanded them in police custody until Wednesday and directed the IO to submit a progress report on the next date.

A case was registered at the Korangi Industrial Area police station against them under Sections 23(1) of the Sindh Arms Act 2013, 4/5 of the Explosive Substance Act read with Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 1997.

The police had claimed that suspect Ayub was originally an Indian national who came to Karachi in 1998 and was living in Pakistan illegally after hiding his identity.

He had come to the city on a visit visa from Mumbai and got a Pakistani passport and CNIC illegally, they added.

Suspect Ayub used to carry out recce of targets in order to carry out targeted killings, the police said.

Published in Dawn, May 25th, 2024

Editorial

Updated 09 Aug, 2026

Makkah agreement

IN the midst of a gruelling war between the US and Iran — currently at a stalemate — the signing of the Makkah...
09 Aug, 2026

Conflicting priorities

THERE is a reasonable argument that the democratic process must go on regardless of prevailing conditions; that...
09 Aug, 2026

FIFA controversy

FIFA PRESIDENT Gianni Infantino is at the centre of a storm of his own making. Even after a crisis meeting in...
Updated 08 Aug, 2026

Danger ahead

PAKISTAN has already paid a heavy human price this monsoon, even as another dangerous spell approaches. NDMA figures...
08 Aug, 2026

Israeli impunity

ANY hope that Hamas’s decision to disarm would lead to a breakthrough has been dashed for one simple reason:...
Updated 08 Aug, 2026

Flawed investigations

An inaccurate record of a victim’s wounds hinders the dispensation of justice. Medical examiners in such a critical area cannot cut corners.