In Lahore, a full-fledged crackdown against gang-wars in the offing

A list of 20 most wanted criminals is prepared for action

LAHORE: In the wake of a surge in gang war cases, police claimed to have arrested the three most wanted criminals in the city. A list of top 20 criminals involved in murders, attempted murders, drug trafficking and land grabbing has also been prepared for action.

DIG Operations Rai Babar Saeed vowed to continue action against such criminals posing a threat to law and order and the lives of citizens.

The arrested suspects have been identified as Muhammad Ilyas alias Elias Gujar, Feroz Khan alias Pando and Mohammad Javed alias Boodi were arrested. Cases of heinous crimes have been registered against the culprits, including illegal land grabbing, murder, attempted murder, extortion and drug trafficking.

They have been shifted to jail under the detention orders. Accused Mohammad Ilyas alias Ilyas Khan was arrested after a raid at his hideout. Police also recovered a huge quantity of illegal arms from his possession.

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A silent surge in murder cases involving old enmity has been witnessed after the brazen murder of Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) leader Babar Sohail Butt inside his house in Manawan in March 2017 over old enmity. Since then, the cases have been reported in which the suspects shot dead their opponents inside and outside sensitive premises such as airport international arrival lounge and court.

Two months later in May 2017, an incident of firing was reported outside the house of Gogi Butt, a notorious criminal in the city.

Balaj Tipu, son of Tipu Truckanwala, was implicated in the case. Tipu was murdered a decade ago in Allama Iqbal International Airport’s parking.

In July 2019, two men were murdered inside the airport’s international arrival lounge.

The target was prime accused nominated in Babar Butt’s murder case. A day later of the incident, suspects carrying heavy ammunition were arrested outside the Anti-Terrorism Court Lahore.

In January 2018, Head Constable Asif and murder accused Amjad were shot dead inside the Sessions Court. Deceased Amjad was under custody in a murder case.

In August 2018, at least five members of a family were shot dead over land dispute in Barki.

A trader Sheikh Irfan Channa was shot dead in Mozang area in broad daylight over old enmity. The deceased reportedly had attacked suspects’ father a few months back. Channa’s murder is also being linked to a shadowy gang war which has been brewing over old enmities in the city.

In November 2019, five members of a family were killed by opponents over old enmity in Hadiara. In 2018, a man accused in the murder of a former member of provincial assembly Saiful Malook Khokhar was shot dead by a hired gun inside a district court.

The provincial capital has had a history of violence related to old enmities where families have been involved.

Countless precious lives have been lost in the process and there are many stakeholders involved in the unresolved disputes. The list of such miscreants and anti-social elements reportedly has been prepared district wise across Punjab.

Muhammad Mansha alias Mansha Bomb, a resident of Johar Town, the notorious figure rose to prominence after the Supreme Court of Pakistan heard his case of land grabbing, is at number nine in the list of top 20 criminals. However, he topped in the number of cases registered against him ie 55.

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Khawaja Aqeel alias Gogi Butt, a resident of Gawalmandi with 11 cases, Shafqat Mehmood alias Bagga Butt with 15 cases, Muhamamd Iliya alias Iliyas Gujjar, a resident of Mughalpura with 14 cases, Muhammad Imtiaz alias Tajja Gujjar, a resident of Lytton Road with four cases and Ameer Balaj, a resident of Gowalmandi with four cases topped the list.

Others included Awais Cheema, Malik Liaqat Ali, Malik Amir Ali, Mian Haseeb, Abid Mehmood, Abdul Rehman, Abid Khan, Basit Cheema, Lala Zubair, Muhammad Javed, Farid Gujjar, Muhammad Iliyas and Feroz Khan.

The names enjoyed the allegations of land grabbing, gambling, usury, drug tracking besides murder and attempted charges. 

Published in The Express Tribune, December 29^th, 2019.