Pakistani security forces said Wednesday they had foiled a plot to bomb Independence Day celebrations in Karachi after arresting a Taliban gang in the city

Pakistani security forces said Wednesday they had 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 Friday's celebrations marking independence from Britain in 1947, a statement from the military said.

"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.