Witnesses identify accused in Sehwan blast case

CTD inspector said he arrested the accused from Manghopir

KARACHI: The judicial magistrate and a police official identified one of the accused nominated in the Sehwan blast case, during the hearing of the case on Thursday.

Anti-terrorism court (ATC) no.16 heard the case at Karachi Central Jail.

During the hearing, the judicial magistrate and two police officials appeared before the court to give their statements. Besides, accused Nadir Ali and Furqan alias Farooq were also produced before the court by the jail officials.

Judicial Magistrate Sher Muhammad identified one of the accused, Ali, and giving his statement, said that Ali had confessed to the crime before him. He informed the court that following Ali's confession, the accused was twice given the opportunity to rethink his statement, in accordance with the law.

Counter-Terrorism Department Inspector Raja Azmat Mehmood said while giving his statement that he had arrested Ali from Manghopir and had seized ammunition from his possession.

Following the completion of Inspector Mehmood's statement, the court asked the investigation officer (IO), Inspector Iqbal Ali, to identify the accused whom he had arrested, from among the two presented before the court. At this, the IO identified Ali. Later, the IO gave his statement to the court as well and submitted a chemical and a forensic science laboratory report.

Witnesses identify suspect in Sehwan blast case

Counsels for the accused completed cross-questioning over the witnesses' statements during the hearing, following which, the court summoned more witnesses at the next hearing.

The court adjourned the hearing till November 28.

Hearing adjourned

Meanwhile, another ATC adjourned the hearing of the Baldia factory fire case without any progress due to the absence of the honourable judge who is on leave.

Jail officials presented prime suspects Rehman Bhola and Zubair Charya before the court during the hearing. Special Public Prosecutor Sajid Mehboob Shaikh and witness Raja Jahangir also appeared before the court.

However, citing the absence of the honourable judge, the court adjourned the hearing till November 21.

According to Shaikh, 786 persons were included in the case as witnesses, of whom, the court has recorded the statements of 399 witnesses.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 15^th, 2019.