Attack on Express Media Group: Suspects in Express staff murder case nabbed
Arrested suspects are said to be affiliated with banned sectarian outfit – Lashkar-e-Jhangvi
Officials collecting evidences off the DSNG van after it was attacked. PHOTO: MOHAMMAD NOMAN/EXPRESS
KARACHI:
Police on Tuesday claimed to have arrested two suspected members of a banned religious outfit for their alleged involvement in the targeted killings of three Express Media Group staffers in early 2014.
The two suspects — Tanvir Nadeem alias Naveed and Saqib Ahmed alias Chacchi were arrested by Rizvia police along with weapons. Their arrests were disclosed during a press conference held by District Central police chief DIG Feroz Shah on Tuesday. The arrested suspects are said to be affiliated with banned sectarian outfit – Lashkar-e-Jhangvi.
“These culprits have been involved in various cases of targeted killings including the killings of cops,” explained DIG Central Feroz Shah. “Apart from attacking the cops, they also confessed to the killings of three Express Media Group staffers.”
Express Media Group has come under attack on three separate occasions. At least three people were wounded at the Express Media Group’s Karachi office when heavily armed assailants carried out an attack on December 2, 2013.The attackers used improvised explosive devices during the assault. On August 16, 2013, as many as four armed men pulled up at the entrance of the Express Media offices and opened fire, injuring two members of staff.
The third and the most lethal strike on Express Media Group occurred in early 2014, when gunmen riding on motorcycles shot dead three Express Media Group staffers in a DSNG van parked in North Nazimabad from close range. The TTP spokesman had claimed responsibility for the third attack.
The suspects also confessed to the attack on Express Media Group’s staffers. “We had instructions to kill them (Express Media Group) to stop the media for favoring or encouraging the Karachi operation against us,” confessed the arrested suspects.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 6th, 2016.
Police on Tuesday claimed to have arrested two suspected members of a banned religious outfit for their alleged involvement in the targeted killings of three Express Media Group staffers in early 2014.
The two suspects — Tanvir Nadeem alias Naveed and Saqib Ahmed alias Chacchi were arrested by Rizvia police along with weapons. Their arrests were disclosed during a press conference held by District Central police chief DIG Feroz Shah on Tuesday. The arrested suspects are said to be affiliated with banned sectarian outfit – Lashkar-e-Jhangvi.
“These culprits have been involved in various cases of targeted killings including the killings of cops,” explained DIG Central Feroz Shah. “Apart from attacking the cops, they also confessed to the killings of three Express Media Group staffers.”
Express Media Group has come under attack on three separate occasions. At least three people were wounded at the Express Media Group’s Karachi office when heavily armed assailants carried out an attack on December 2, 2013.The attackers used improvised explosive devices during the assault. On August 16, 2013, as many as four armed men pulled up at the entrance of the Express Media offices and opened fire, injuring two members of staff.
The third and the most lethal strike on Express Media Group occurred in early 2014, when gunmen riding on motorcycles shot dead three Express Media Group staffers in a DSNG van parked in North Nazimabad from close range. The TTP spokesman had claimed responsibility for the third attack.
The suspects also confessed to the attack on Express Media Group’s staffers. “We had instructions to kill them (Express Media Group) to stop the media for favoring or encouraging the Karachi operation against us,” confessed the arrested suspects.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 6th, 2016.