QUETTA: A prime suspect for the assassination of former Balochistan High Court chief justice Mohammad Noor Meskanzai was arrested in a joint operation conducted by the Counter Terrorism Department and intelligence agencies in Kharan on Friday.

“The murderer said that he was ordered to kill the [BHC] chief justice and interestingly the orders were given by a neighboring country,” CTD DIG Aitzaz Goraya said while addressing a press conference, along with IG Balochistan Abdul Khaliq Shaikh, in Quetta.

Earlier, Aaj News while citing CTD sources reported that a prime suspect, along with two other suspected terrorists, was arrested in a joint operation conducted by the CTD and intelligence agencies. Sources had said that the prime suspect had fired 10 bullets at the former BHC chief justice. The suspect was identified as Shafqat Ullah.

Meskanzai was assassinated while offering prayer at a mosque in Kharan town, some 220 kilometers from Khuzdar through Basima-Kharan (N30) highway, on October 14. A banned organisation had claimed the responsibility for the deadly attack.

Two days later after the death, the Home and Tribal Affairs Department formed a seven-member joint investigation team to probe the killing of the former BHC chief justice.

“We have collected technical data from the crime scene and we also have gathered previous criminal records and people involved in those crimes,” CTD DIG Aitezaz Goraya said.

The joint investigative team filtered the information and figured out a group that could be involved in the murder case. The CTD and security agencies conducted intelligence-based operations in Kharan and areas nearby as well.

“We have arrested the head of that terrorist group Shafqat Ullah and his motorcycle [used in the killing] is under our custody and a pistol as well which we are sending for forensic tests for verification,” Goraya said.

Two hand grenades and explosive material were covered from the suspected terrorist’s possession.

During the investigation, the DIG claimed that Shafqat Ullah confessed that he was involved in the attack along with his accomplice.

The CTD DIG claimed that the commander of the terrorist group was also present at the crime scene too. He said that the department was in contact with the “neighboring country” for his arrest, however, he did not disclose the name of the country.

“We have got his resident address and other information.”

Shafqat has given them the names of the operating network in Kharan and others found responsible in the murder. The terrorists have confessed to “several” crimes.

Goraya alleged that criminals were aware of the timings of the former BHC chief justice when he used to stay back in the mosque [Masjid Ayesha] after Isha prayers after the people leave. “Murderers took advantage of the lone time.”

They targeted Meskanzai from the little narrow entrance of the mosque because a police guard was on duty at the main entrance.

In a recorded video of the suspected terrorist, Shafqat Ullah confessed to his involvement in a bomb blast as well along with an accomplice at the Chief Chowk in Kharan.

“Currently teams are investigating and making progress, we do have an idea about the people involved in this network,” Goraya said, “We got to know that their commander belongs to Kharan, and his family members are also involved in this plot and providing facilities too.”