Rangers arrest two 'hitmen' involved in Karachi sectarian, political killings

One of the accused confessed to have killed a number of clerics in the metropolis

KARACHI: Pakistan Rangers Sindh claimed on Saturday to have arrested two suspected target killers involved in sectarian and politically motivated killings.

Syed Mehroz Mehdi Naqvi alias Mehdi Badshah and Ishtiaq alias Mama were arrested by the paramilitary forces in separate raids in Karachi.

Rangers spokespersons claimed Mehroz has confessed his involvement in 22 murders including Mufti Usman Yar Khan, Muhammad Ali and Muhammad Rafiq who were killed on Sharae Faisal in February 2014. The suspected hitman is also involved in killing of Mufti Dilfaraz Mavia and Abu Bakar in the Site area in February 2013.



The LEA on the tip-off also recovered weapons from the arrested killer's possession, a statement issued by the Rangers said.

In a separate raid, the paramilitary forces rounded up target killer Ishtiaq associated with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM). The accused is allegedly involved in killing of people on directives of the Karachi-based party’s senior leadership and confessed to have killed Mohajir Qaumi Movement-Haqiqi (MQM-H) workers and attack on Aaj TV channel building on May 12, 2007.