ATC declares 15 BLA members absconders

Issues lifelong arrest warrants for them, orders seizure of their properties

An anti-terrorism court issued on Saturday lifelong arrests warrants for 15 members of the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) accused in a case pertaining to the 2018 attack on the Chinese consulate after declaring them absconders.

During the hearing Karachi Central Jail, the court directed the relevant authorities seize all movable and immovable properties of the accused and put their sketches on display.

The accused who are on the run and declared absconders include Marri, Alidad Buledi, Commander Sharif, Rashid Hussain and Sameer, among others.

Besides, Ahmed Hasnain, Nadir Khan, Ali Ahmed, Abdul Latif and Aslam, also accused in the case, have been arrested.

On November 23, 2018, three militants had attempted to enter the Chinese consulate in Karachi's Clifton area but were shot dead in an encounter with law enforcement personnel. The gun-and-grenade assault resulted in the death of two policemen and two visa applicants. The attack was claimed by the BLA.

According to the police, Indian intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing and other foreign entities provided financial assistance for the attack.

They said two of the arrested accused, including Latif, had confessed their involvement in the attack.

The police said the accused admitted that they had provided arms and ammunitions to one of the killed terrorists who carried out the attack and conducted the recce of the site.

Both of them gave their statements before a magistrate under Section 164 of the Code of the Criminal Procedure, the police said.

They added that they would be seeking assistance from the Interpol to arrest the absconders.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 27^th, 2020.