MQM worker’s killing: Political workers detained by Rangers

District West police arrest two suspects for involvement in bank robbery in Orangi Town

KARACHI: Law enforcement agencies have detained two political workers for their suspected involvement in the targeted killing of a worker of their rival political party in Landhi a couple of days ago.

Two workers of the Mohajir Qaumi Movement - Haqiqi (MQM-H) were detained by the paramilitary force from Landhi. The suspects were shifted to an undisclosed location for further questioning. A source in the police said that the suspects were taken into custody for their alleged involvement in the targeted killing of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) worker Fahad Zaki.

Zaki was killed while another worker, Kamran, was wounded in two consecutive attacks in Landhi late Thursday night by armed men. The MQM blamed the MQM-H for the attack.

On the other hand, MQM-H strongly condemned the arrest of their party workers, identified as Abid and Jarar. "It is a conspiracy being hatched against us," said MQM-H spokesperson Khalid Hameed. "These two workers along with nearly 50 others were reopening the shops, which were forcibly shut down by MQM men in the area, when they were arrested by the Rangers."

He said that the MQM worker was not killed in an act of targeted killing and was killed by his own associates over monetary dispute of looted booty. He added that the party will approach the court if the law enforcement agencies do not do justice with them.

Two 'robbers' held

Separately, the District West police claimed to have arrested two suspects allegedly involved in a bank robbery in Orangi Town. According to the police, the suspects were involved in a robbery at Habib Bank Limited in Orangi Town on May 16, from where they looted more than Rs3.4 million after banking hours. The robbers had arrived at the branch situated at Pakistan Bazaar at around 5:57pm and asked the guard to open the door. The guard, without asking them any questions, allowed them to enter the branch, where the manager was still working.

On Saturday, District West SSP Azfar Mahesar informed the media about the arrests. The suspects, Zahid Khan and Nadeem Khan, were arrested from Malir. SSP Mahesar said that the police also recovered more than Rs1 million from their possession while the search for absconding associates involved in the robbery was going on.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 22^nd, 2016.