Pakistani security forces say they have foiled a plot to bomb Independence Day celebrations in Karachi after arresting a Taliban gang in the city.
Militants had been planning to detonate a van loaded with explosives in the country's largest city during celebrations marking independence from Britain in 1947, a military statement said on August 12.
"In an intelligence-based operation security forces have...foiled a terrorist bid planned to sabotage 14 August celebrations in Karachi," the statement said.
The military released photos showing four men detained in the operation along with the van, a motorbike, and bomb-making equipment.
Police and government paramilitary forces have waged a campaign against militants and criminals in Karachi since September 2013.
The city of 20 million people, Pakistan's economic capital, has been wracked in recent years by criminal, ethnic, political and religious violence.
