Two workers of MQM-London's overseas network detained

Separately, paramilitary force takes 20 suspects into custody, seizes arms, ammunition

KARACHI: In a joint operation, the Rangers and police claim to have arrested on Wednesday at least two suspects allegedly belonging to the militant wing of the Muttahida Quami Movement-London's (MQM-L) South African network.

The arrests were made during a joint operation conducted on a tip-off in Orangi Town . The suspects were identified as Bilal Lodhi and Muhammad Irshad. According to the Rangers spokesperson, the suspects, affiliated with MQM-L's South Africa network, on the directives of their leadership, had planned a targeted attack on the candidates of rival political parties ahead of the general elections in order to disturb the law and order situation.

A cell comprising MQM-L militants and South Africa's target killers was established in June to target the candidates of rival political parties and those who left the MQM-L and joined other political parties to sabotage the elections, the spokesperson shared.

He claimed that the arrested suspects confessed to their plan to carry out targeted killings of political rivals on the directives of the MQM-L leadership.



The MQM-L secretariat also provided the suspects with logistical and financial support to carry out the operations, the spokesperson said.
He said that the suspects had initially planned to target Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz candidate Mohsin Javed who is contesting from PS-128, Arif Hussain Qureshi of Pakistan Peoples Party who is also contesting from PS-128 as well as Pak Sarzameen Party's Gulbahar leaders Azhar and Moin.

The spokesperson claimed that the suspects had done their homework and some individuals from the MQM-L had also provided them with arms and ammunition to complete the operation.

The law enforcers also claim to have seized arms and ammunition from their possession which was to be used in the targeted killings. A search for the suspects' accomplices and facilitators is under way, said the spokesperson, adding that the suspects were later handed over to the police for further interrogation.

Targeted raids

Separately, the Rangers also claim to have taken at least 20 more suspects into custody during ongoing targeted raids and operations in parts of the city.

According to the paramilitary force spokesperson, a suspect, Zulfiqar Ali, was arrested during a raid conducted on a tip-off at the Sacchal area. He was wanted in several cases of crime.

During targeted raids conducted in Jamshed Quarters, Ferozabad, Sacchal, Madina Colony and Soldier Bazaar, the Rangers troops detained at least 12 suspects. They were later identified as Zakir Khan, Farhan, Yasir alias Jhon, Syed Ovais Zaidi, Farooq Shah alias Shahji, Habib alias Banu, Faisal Ahmed, Raheel Hussain, Akhtar Hussain, Jumman, Shahid and Syed Afzal Hussain alias Abdur Rahim.



The suspects were involved in various cases of street crime and robberies.

Meanwhile, seven more suspects, who were identified as Hafeez, Yousuf, Saeed, Imran Khan, Amin, Yousuf and Imran, were arrested for their alleged involvement in drug peddling.

The Rangers also claim to have seized arms, ammunition and drugs from their possession.

The suspects were later handed over to the police for further interrogation.