Safoora Goth attack: ‘Facilitator’ al Qaeda operative, says CTD
SHC hearing pleas to release three ‘exonerated’ suspects
SHC hearing pleas to release three ‘exonerated’ suspects. PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI:
The chief of the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) informed the Sindh High Court on Monday that one of the 'facilitators' of the Safoora Goth attack, Naeem Sajid, is an al Qaeda operative who is linked to the attack.
The CTD in-charge made the revelation in comments submitted to the court in relation to petitions seeking the release of three suspects who were reportedly acquitted of charges of facilitation in the Safoora Goth attack. Sajid is an arms dealer and the serial numbers of the arms and ammunition used in the incident were found from his possession, claimed the CTD chief. It was also stated that his confessional statement under the law has been recorded as well.
A two-judge bench headed by Justice Naimatullah Phulpoto is hearing identical petitions seeking the release of Sajid alias Peena, Qamar Siddiqui and his brother Muhammad Siddiqui — all said to be facilitators of the attack who have since been reportedly cleared of charges, according to relatives seeking their release.
Gunmen shot dead 45 members of the Ismaili community on the outskirts of Karachi in May 2015. Five accused in the case, including Saad Aziz, Tahir Hussain Minhas, Asadur Rehman and Mohammad Azhar Ishrat, have been sentenced to death. In May this year, army chief General Raheel Sharif also signed the death warrants for their execution.
In response to notices of the court, the CTD chief, along with the Central SSP and SHO of the Sohrab Goth police station filed their comments on Monday.
In his comments, the Central SSP said all the accused were sent to jail in connection with the incident on October 26 last year. The officer further said that following their conviction by the military court, the accused were sent to jail, except Sajid and the Siddiqui brothers.
In his report, the Sohrab Goth SHO said a case related to illicit arms has been registered against Sajid.
The Rangers' lawyer, Allah Bachayo Bhatti, requested for time to file comments regarding the custody of the three men. Allowing the request, the judges directed him to file such comments by October 27.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 18th, 2016.
The chief of the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) informed the Sindh High Court on Monday that one of the 'facilitators' of the Safoora Goth attack, Naeem Sajid, is an al Qaeda operative who is linked to the attack.
The CTD in-charge made the revelation in comments submitted to the court in relation to petitions seeking the release of three suspects who were reportedly acquitted of charges of facilitation in the Safoora Goth attack. Sajid is an arms dealer and the serial numbers of the arms and ammunition used in the incident were found from his possession, claimed the CTD chief. It was also stated that his confessional statement under the law has been recorded as well.
A two-judge bench headed by Justice Naimatullah Phulpoto is hearing identical petitions seeking the release of Sajid alias Peena, Qamar Siddiqui and his brother Muhammad Siddiqui — all said to be facilitators of the attack who have since been reportedly cleared of charges, according to relatives seeking their release.
Gunmen shot dead 45 members of the Ismaili community on the outskirts of Karachi in May 2015. Five accused in the case, including Saad Aziz, Tahir Hussain Minhas, Asadur Rehman and Mohammad Azhar Ishrat, have been sentenced to death. In May this year, army chief General Raheel Sharif also signed the death warrants for their execution.
In response to notices of the court, the CTD chief, along with the Central SSP and SHO of the Sohrab Goth police station filed their comments on Monday.
In his comments, the Central SSP said all the accused were sent to jail in connection with the incident on October 26 last year. The officer further said that following their conviction by the military court, the accused were sent to jail, except Sajid and the Siddiqui brothers.
In his report, the Sohrab Goth SHO said a case related to illicit arms has been registered against Sajid.
The Rangers' lawyer, Allah Bachayo Bhatti, requested for time to file comments regarding the custody of the three men. Allowing the request, the judges directed him to file such comments by October 27.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 18th, 2016.