India, Oct. 5 -- The recent killing of a senior ISIS-K commander by unidentified gunmen in Karachi has revealed another layer of Pakistan's vast terror ecosystem. The slain operative, known by the alias "Hassan," was regarded as one of the group's key strategists, Afghanistan-based security sources told The Sunday Guardian.

Originally from Peshawar, he had played a central role in ISIS-K's operations and was apparently preparing to direct future explosive attacks in Afghanistan in the coming days.

His presence in Karachi-Pakistan's largest city and economic nerve centre-is significant. While ISIS-K's operational hub remains in Balochistan, Karachi has for long functioned as a covert logistical base, used for recruitment, temporary hideo...