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Karachi narrowly avoided a large-scale terrorist attack after security agencies carried out an intelligence-based operation in the port city.

A residence in Baldia Rais Goth, where terrorists had been planning attacks on public areas throughout Karachi, was found to have more than two tonnes of explosive material. During the operation, authorities apprehended a suicide bomber and confiscated a small truck and gas cylinders that were supposed to be used in the planned strikes.

Officials said the explosives and cylinders had been packed in drums for transportation across the city. In total, 60 drums and five gas cylinders were recovered. The bomb disposal squad neutralized the explosives.

Security sources confirmed that actionable intelligence about the planned attacks had been received earlier, prompting continuous monitoring of terrorist movements and hideouts in Karachi and nearby areas. 

Intelligence reports had highlighted suspicious activity within a 30 to 40-kilometre radius, which led to intensified surveillance and coordinated operations.

Investigations revealed that the arrested individuals were linked to the banned  Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) Bashir Zeb group, also referred to by authorities as Fitna-e-Hindustan. Sources said facilitators and handlers associated with the group have been operating from Afghan soil to plan and support attacks targeting Karachi.

Information obtained from the arrested suicide bomber is being used to trace additional handlers and facilitators involved in the network. Authorities indicated that further arrests are expected as operations continue in the city.

What could have been a catastrophic tragedy in Karachi was avoided, security authorities have confirmed.

Another student at the University of Lahore (UoL) has attempted suicide, sustaining serious injuries after jumping from the second floor of a campus building, police confirmed on Monday.

According to Lahore Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Operations Faisal Kamran, the woman is a first-semester pharmacy student and hails from Narowal.

Her parents have been asked to come to Lahore, DIG Kamran said.

“She jumped from the second floor of the pharmacy department,” the cop said, adding that the incident appeared to be a suicide attempt.

While police are working to determine the reason behind the attempt, initial findings revealed she had been talking to someone on the phone for half an hour before the incident.

“She jumped during the call,” he said.

On her injuries, DIG Kamran said the woman had fractured her legs but there was no severe head injury.

Meanwhile, the student’s mobile phone is with the police but remains locked.

The cop said that she would be asked for the password once her medical condition allowed. “Otherwise, we will get an analysis conducted.”

While an FIR [First Information Report] has not yet been registered as the decision rests with the student’s parents, the university has suspended on-campus classes.

In a notice issued by the registrar’s office, the varsity said all on-campus teaching activities had been suspended to ensure student safety. The notice added that classes would shift to online mode from Tuesday, January 6, until further orders.

DIG Kamran also said that police had spoken to the varsity administration that is mulling the installation of fences on every floor to prevent such incidents.

It merits a mention that this is the second incident of its kind at UoL where another pharmacy student, namely Muhammad Awais, died in December 2025 after jumping off a varsity building.

Family and fellow students claimed that Awais was under extreme pressure due to low attendance and financial troubles. 

The death had prompted the university to form an inquiry committee as students staged protests and demanded accountability.

Lahore police have registered a case against a singer for performing a song titled “Qaidi No 804” during a government-sponsored cultural event at the historic Shalimar Gardens on Sunday.

A Qawwal has been charged with giving the event “political colour” as the song is associated with jailed PTI (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf) founder and former prime minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan.

According to the FIR (First Information Report), the complainant, Shalimar Gardens in-charge Zameerul Hasan, stated that singer Faraz Khan deliberately attempted to exploit the cultural event and instigate the audience.
 

The event, organised by the Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA), was meant to be a non-political cultural night.

Hasan said the singer and his companions performed the song at the request of some audience members, despite the event being open to the public and attended by people with affiliations to various political parties.

The complainant added that the song could create unrest or violence, and that the singer and his accomplices are liable to legal action.