When Intelligence Crossed Boundaries:
Karachi’s RAW Network Exposed
In a press briefing
that sent ripples across the security landscape, the Sindh Counter-Terrorism
Department (CTD) revealed a chilling discovery: a covert network operating in
Karachi linked to India’s foreign intelligence agency, RAW (Research and Analysis
Wing). Six suspects have been arrested, accused of orchestrating the
extraterritorial killing of a prominent welfare worker in Badin—a crime
allegedly masterminded by an agent based abroad.
The murder occurred on
May 18, 2025, when a 45-year-old local humanitarian, Abdul Rehman (also
referred to as Razaullah Nizamani), was fatally shot in Matli district. His
philanthropic work had earned him respect, making this attack all the more
disquieting. Investigators, poring over CCTV footage and eyewitness testimony,
swiftly identified suspects present during the carriage of the crime.
During interrogations, chilling links emerged. The CTD revealed that an operative named Sanjay Sanjeev Kumar, alias Fauji, based in a Gulf country, had orchestrated the plot. He recruited two Pakistanis—Salman and Arsalan—who subsequently formed a hit squad comprising Umair Asghar, Sajjad, Obaid, and Shakeel. The squad conducted surveillance in Matli for five days before executing the attack. Evidence suggests that Salman even returned to the Gulf via Karachi airport, later fleeing to Nepal.
But the plot thickens beyond the killing itself. Interrogations and financial forensics uncovered a chilling truth: the operation was financed through formal banking channels—real money, flowing across borders to fuel terrorism. This has led CTD to register cases under terror financing laws, exposing state-sponsored terrorism at play. The suspects were also linked to the banned separatist group, the Sindh Revolutionary Army (SRA), suggesting an institutionalized structure of RAW-backed terror activity.
Images from the press conference depicted held documents naming RAW agent Sanjay. CTD's Additional IG, Azad Khan, said the killing was celebrated in Indian media, reinforcing the RAW connection. With weapons, mobile phones, and a motorcycle recovered from the suspects, the case stands as a striking testament to foreign influence in Karachi’s criminal underworld.
This isn’t the first time CTD has exposed RAW’s involvement. Similar allegations emerged surrounding the 2018 attack on the Chinese consulate in Karachi, as well as the Safoora bus massacre—highlighting sustained attempts to undermine Pakistan’s security and strategic projects like CPEC. Today’s crackdown makes it clear: external meddling in domestic affairs remains a pressing challenge.
Beyond the initial six arrests, federal agencies remain vigilant. Muhammad Arsalan and Talha Umair were arrested on August 17 and 22, respectively, emphasizing the depth and breadth of the network. Authorities are also searching for Salman, believed to be abroad, describing him as a key link in facilitating the attack and terror financing.
The human dimension cannot be ignored. A well-known activist was slain, doing his part to uplift his community. In response, the CTD—through untiring efforts—prevented similar tragedies through uncovering this operatives’ web. The commitment of CTD officers, their relentless pursuit amidst rising threats, is a potent reminder that vigilance and domestic resilience stand as the first line of defense.
With the case poised to go before anti-terrorism courts, Pakistan is also preparing to take this evidence of RAW-linked terrorism to international platforms—a strategic step in countering cross-border aggression and demanding accountability.