By Gautam Chaudhary
While the entirety of Pakistan remains under the grip of organized criminal gangs and terrorist organizations, in recent times not only terrorism but also organized crime groups have begun posing a serious challenge to law and order.
On April 17, 2026, a police officer was killed in an armed attack in the Orangi Town–Manghopir area of Karachi, the capital of Sindh province. The deceased was identified as Constable Khadim Ali Shah, while another officer, Mohammad Tufail Khan, was severely injured. The incident is considered extremely serious, particularly because Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the attack.
On the same day, security forces conducted a joint operation in Lyari Town, Karachi, and arrested three TTP terrorists. Weapons and ammunition, including a 30-bore pistol and 18 rounds, were recovered. During preliminary interrogation, the suspects reportedly revealed plans for a major attack in Karachi.
Earlier, on April 10, 2026, a worshipper named Rehan, son of Ghulam Nabi, was shot dead outside a mosque in Karachi’s Khwaja Ajmer Nagri Police Station area (Sector 5C-1). Armed motorcyclists opened fire at the entrance of Farooq-e-Azam Mosque shortly after Fajr prayers.
On the same day, the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), in a joint operation with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), arrested a target killer associated with the banned Shia militant group Zainabiyoun Brigade near University Road in Karachi. According to a CTD statement, the suspect, Muhammad Farhan Khan, was found with a 9mm pistol and a loaded magazine. The weapon had been used in a targeted killing in 2023, and the suspect had previously been involved in several sectarian and religious terrorist activities.
According to data compiled by the South Asia Terrorism Portal, Sindh recorded 10 terrorism-related deaths in 2026 (up to April 19), including eight terrorists, one civilian, and one security personnel. During the same period in 2025, there were 12 such deaths. For the entire year 2025, Sindh recorded 49 terrorism-related deaths (26 civilians, 16 security personnel, and seven militants), compared to 38 in 2024—an increase of 28.94%.
Civilian deaths rose sharply from 15 in 2024 to 26 in 2025 (a 73.33% increase). Security personnel fatalities increased from 14 to 16, while militant deaths decreased from nine to seven. Although these figures may seem routine, they highlight a serious challenge to civilian security.
Other indicators of terrorism also worsened. In 2025, there were five major incidents (each causing at least three deaths), compared to four in 2024. Deaths from such incidents rose from 13 to 19. The most significant attack of 2025 occurred on August 26, when TTP militants opened fire near Fakira Goth on Karachi’s SITE Super Highway, killing four people and injuring one.
Explosive incidents also increased, with 14 cases and 14 deaths in 2025 compared to nine incidents and 10 deaths in 2024. Experts note that Karachi is increasingly becoming the epicenter of terrorism in Sindh. Of the 49 deaths recorded in 2025, 31 occurred in Karachi alone.
Apart from Islamist terrorist groups like TTP and Baloch separatist outfits, Sindhi separatist groups such as Sindhudesh Revolutionary Army (SRA) and Sindhudesh Liberation Army are also active. Analysts suggest that in coordination with Baloch groups, Sindhi organizations have begun working together to counter perceived Punjabi dominance.
A media report dated March 2, 2025, noted that SRA joined the Baloch Raji Aajoi Sangar (BRAS) alliance to intensify operations against the Pakistani central government and China. A high-level meeting was reportedly held involving representatives of BLA, BLF, BRG, and SRA.
The impact of this alliance was seen on March 4, 2025, when SRA cadres ambushed National Logistics Cell (NLC) vehicles in Sujawal district, injuring two drivers. In a statement, SRA spokesperson Sodho Sindhi accused the Pakistani government of occupying Sindh and exploiting its resources, vowing continued resistance until full independence is achieved.
Earlier, on February 15, 2025, SRA attacked NLC tankers in Ghotki district, claiming it was retaliation against resource exploitation and water diversion from the Indus River. The group also accused the military of seizing land under the “Green Pakistan Initiative.”
On April 22, 2025, SRA attacked a passenger train in Hyderabad district, reportedly targeting Punjabi settlers. The group described the attack as resistance against what it called “colonial exploitation” of Sindh.
On June 4, 2025, SRA carried out a grenade attack on the Naseem Nagar police station in Hyderabad. The group accused the police of suppressing nationalist movements and aiding state control over Sindh’s land and resources.
While authorities remain focused on suppressing nationalist voices, criminal elements continue to operate freely, especially in Karachi. Street crime has emerged as a major security challenge. In the first three months of 2026 alone, over 14,000 criminal incidents were recorded in Karachi. According to Citizens-Police Liaison Committee data released on April 9, around 134 people were killed resisting robberies during this period.
Although terrorism in Sindh has been somewhat contained, the persistently high crime rate—especially in Karachi—remains a major challenge to law and order. These developments indicate that another region in Pakistan is increasingly mobilizing against perceived Punjabi dominance. This reflects the characteristics of a failing state and signals a broader rise in public discontent across the country.
