Police arrest BLA militant

He was allegedly involved in the killing of Sibi DIG Abdul Aziz Billu in 2003

KARACHI: Police claimed on Monday to have arrested from Karachi a member of a militant organisation based in Balochistan, involved in the assassination of a senior police officer of Sibi, Baluchistan.

The suspect, identified as Muhammad Sulah alias Haji, was nabbed by a Korangi police team when it was on a routine patrol. Korangi SSP Sajid Sadozai disclosed the arrest during a press conference, in which he claimed that the suspect was affiliated with the Baloch Liberation Army.



According to the SSP, Landhi SHO Sarwar Commando was patrolling in area when he intercepted the suspected militant and arrested him. He was shifted to a police station where during initial interrogations, he reportedly confessed to have been involved in stealing SUVs from the border area of Sindh and Balochistan, and selling them to the Marri tribe through a man, Zafar Hajwani. It was also reported that at least seven accomplices were involved with Sulah in the stealing of vehicles, four of whom have been killed.



The accused also reportedly confessed to killing Sibi DIG Abdul Aziz Billu. He recalled that his gang attempted to intercept a vehicle bearing a government registration plate in June 2003, however, the driver sped up the vehicle. An exchange of fire ensued between his gang and police guards present in the vehicle, resulting in the deaths of the DIG, his guard and one of the marauders, Sabir Jiwani.

We didn't have any idea about people travelling in the SUV at the time of the incident, the suspect confessed, adding that it was only later when they came to know that they had killed the Sibi DIG, after which the gang went into hiding. He also confirmed that the gang was armed with a rocket launcher and Kalashnikov rifles when the incident took place.

The police claimed to have seized arms and ammunition from his possession. A case has been registered against the suspect and further investigations are under way.