The Sindh Police’s Crime Investigation Department announced the capture of another suspected Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan militant on Thursday, who they say was involved in numerous target killings, kidnapping for ransom and extortion cases.
According to police, a raid was conducted by a team under the supervision of CID SSP Fayaz Khan in Manghopir, where the suspect, Khan Afsar Mohmand alias Jawad, son of Ghulam Sarwar Shah, was nabbed after a brief encounter. A TT pistol and ammunition was also allegedly seized from him.
Afsar is believed to have joined the TTP in Mohmand Agency where he conducted militant operations against the armed forces. He is said to be closely linked with TTP’s Qari Shakeel group based in the northern areas.
Even though the police say that the suspect was involved in more 18 cases of target killings in Karachi, the charge sheet released to the media mentioned only eight cases. Also, in the cases mentioned, seven people were allegedly murdered by the suspect in 2010, while one man Farooq Ahmed was killed in January 2011. Moreover, most of the murders were carried out within the jurisdiction of Pirabad, Mominabad and Site A.
Police say the suspect used to bump off people whom he suspected of providing the law-enforcement authorities information against the Taliban members hiding in the city.
A hit list was also allegedly found on him. It contained the names of senior leaders of political parties and police officers. There are more than a dozen active members of Afsar’s TTP cell in Karachi, who remain at large. Earlier, the police had nabbed three accomplices from the city.
Police say the preliminary interrogation has revealed that the suspect along with other TTP members was planning a huge suicide bombing mission in the city.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 3rd, 2011.
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