Rangers arrest two workers of MQM-L South Africa network

Large number of weapons, ammunition and explosive material seized

KARACHI: Sindh Rangers on Tuesday arrested two workers of Muttahida Qaumi Movement - London (MQM-L) South Africa network in a raid in Sector 10, North Karachi on the basis of information provided by intelligence agencies. A large number of weapons, ammunition and explosive material, that could effectively help wage a long war with law enforcement agencies (LEAs), were also recovered.

According to a Rangers spokesperson, the suspects were identified as Mustaqeem and Muqeem. On their indication, the Rangers conducted another raid at house number R-369, Block 8 in Federal B Area from where they seized weapons and explosive material. These included a total of 195 rifle grenades, 98 40mm grenades, 52 hand grenades, 11 rocket-propelled grenades, 49 safety fuses, 170 detonators, 17kg of plastic explosives, a 40mm grenade launcher, four SMG's, a .222 rifle, among others.

During the interrogation, the suspects further revealed that they hid in different areas of Karachi after Rangers raided MQM's head office in March 2015. They admitted that they were in contact with MQM-L's South Africa network.



Mustaqeem said that he lived with Javed Langra in India after escaping in 1992 and returned a year later to continue his work in the city. He further said that he was in contact with Shujauddin alias Bobby of the South Africa network.

Both the arrested were assigned recce and target killing of different political party leaders that they planned themselves. They were also instructed by South Africa network to be prepared to execute any terrorist activity.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 12^th, 2018.