CTD arrests five ‘LeJ target killers’

Hit list indicates they planned to kill LEA personnel, says CTD in-charge


Our Correspondent July 23, 2020
PHOTO: REUTERS

KARACHI:

The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) claimed on Wednesday to have arrested five members of banned outfit Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) and seized weapons, bullets and a hit list from their possession during a raid in Golimar.

According to CTD in-charge Ali Raza, the raid was carried out on a tip-off about the banned outfit's members planning to carry out a major terrorist activity in Golimar.

"A hit list was found in the house where they had been hiding and it is suspected that they were planning to kill law enforcement personnel on the basis of sectarian biases," he said.

The arrested men have been identified as Kazim Ali Shah alias Shah Ji, Muhammad Saqib Akhter, Abdur Rehman alias Zubair, Omair alias Khalil and Shahab alias Chota.

Raza claimed they had admitted to their involvement in six target killings, carried out on the orders of LeJ leaders Qasim Rasheed and Waseem Barodi, during initial interrogation. He added they had also revealed information about the formation of four new LeJ target killing teams, which were in constant touch with another.

He further clarified that they did not use any technological devices, including mobile phones, to contact one another.

According to Raza, the CTD has increased the frequency of operations to nab the arrested men's accomplices.

Meanwhile, CTD additional inspector general Dr Jamil announced cash prizes and certificates for CTD personnel for carrying out the operation successfully.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 23rd, 2020.

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