Abducted Clifton businessman shot thrice in brazen rescue mission


Express July 21, 2010

KARACHI: In a dramatic shoot-out on the outskirts of Karachi, the police managed to rescue a Clifton businessman who was kidnapped a day earlier for Rs2.5 million in ransom.

Ameer Ali Gaba was shot thrice in the gunfight but is out of danger and recuperating at the Aga Khan Univesity Hospital. Two criminals were killed and one man was injured in the crossfire with the Anti-Violent Crime Cell at Sohrab Goth.

On Tuesday night, Gaba, his wife and one child were abducted from Tariq Road by three unidentified men. His wife and child were released near a water pump later on. “We were coming out [of the restaurant after dinner] when three masked men interrupted us and kidnapped us,” said Citizens-Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) officials while quoting Gaba’s wife.

Mrs Gaba contacted the CPLC and told them that the abductors had asked for Rs2.5 million if they wanted to see him alive. According to the police, after negotiations, the family decided to pay Rs2.2 million.

According to AVCC Inspector Moeenuddin, who was in charge of the operation, they knew about the gang that had been operating in the area for quite some time. “We have analysed how they operate and the places where they call the families to exchange the ransom money,” he informed The Express Tribune. “They had escaped on a previous occasion, but this time we were ready.”

According to AVCC SSP Abdullah Sheikh, the kidnappers first told the family to come to Toll Plaza and then a spot between two petrol pumps. The CPLC’s Najeeb Dana Walla said that the men were waiting in Gaba’s Honda Civic.

The family delivered the money after which Clifton SSP Tariq Dharejo, Inspector Mooenuddin and the CPLC members went to work. Three bullets hit Dharejo’s vehicle. Gaba was caught in the crossfire and was shot in the feet and shoulder.

One abductor was identified as Fazal. Accoring to SSP Abdullah Sheikh, Fazal was involved in at least six such kidnappings.

The police estimate that the gang made at least Rs12 million in ransoms.

Meanwhile, in what appeared to be an unrelated incident, our correspondent Shahzad Jillani witnessed a kidnapping at 3:30 pm on Wednesday in main Sultanabad. Two armed men drove up on motorcycles and surrounded a silver Suzuki Baleno car. They pushed the man to the backseat. Several mechanics were working close by.

One kidnapper was wearing a helmet, jeans and a checked shirt. The other man was wearing a light charcoal grey shalwar kameez. Another accomplice took off with the motorcycle of one of the first men.

One the Lalazar police post was informed, they tried to block the road leading to Mai Kolachi.

But the kidnappers saw them moving in and took off via the overhead bridge on MT Khan Road with the police firing shots in their wake.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 22nd, 2010.

COMMENTS (1)

Sultan Ahmed. | 13 years ago | Reply No power on the earth can harm those to whom Allah Almighty want to save.
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