Suspected target killer among three others held by Rangers in Karachi

Paramilitary force recovers weapons from possession of accused associated with political party's militant wing

KARACHI: At least four alleged criminals, including a target killer belonging to a political party, were apprehended on Saturday night by Rangers in a targeted operation and snap checking in different areas of Karachi.

Eight SMGs, 2,630 bullet rounds, and 40 packs of heroine were recovered from the possession of the suspected target killer, who belongs to a notorious militant wing of a political party, said a statement issued by Pakistan Rangers Sindh on Sunday.



Meanwhile, three other criminals who are believed to be involved in incidents of robbery and street crimes were rounded up during snap checking in Landhi, Baldia Town, Shah Faisal Town and Orangi Town areas of the city.

A handout picture released by Pakistan Rangers Sindh shows a large cache of arms recovered from a suspected target killer in Karachi on May 28, 2016. PHOTO: RANGERS

The arrests come only a day after three political workers were arrested by the Rangers for a series of attacks carried out over the past year at the paramilitary force’s check-posts in different parts of the city. According to the Rangers, the suspects had orders from their chiefs to avenge the arrests of their comrades in the ongoing Karachi operation. Their arrests were disclosed on Saturday but the press statement said they were held last month.

On April 19, Rangers acted on a tip-off and conducted raids in parts of Shah Faisal Colony No. 4 where the suspects of a militant wing had hideouts and arrested three ‘hardcore’ terrorists, said the Rangers statement. The suspects were identified as Syed Ahsan Suleman alias SP, Muhammad Obaidullah Siddiqui alias Habib Kala alias Pagal, and Asadullah Siddiqui, all of whom were affiliated with a militant wing of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s (MQM) Shah Faisal Colony Unit 108.



The MQM, however, denied the allegations levelled by the Rangers and insisted that it was not the party’s policy to promote or get involved in violence. “The real terrorists are roaming freely and not being arrested while a state operation is being carried out against the MQM,” claimed Rabita Committee member and MPA Mohammad Hussain, addressing a press conference at the Khursheed Begum Secretariat on Saturday evening.