Key figure in Arshad Pappu’s murder killed

Ex-SHO targeted on the way back from court hearing

KARACHI:

Another voice in the brutal murder of Arshad Pappu, a gangland warlord of Lyari, was silenced forever in a targeted killing on a busy street of city centre on Wednesday. Arshad Pappu was killed in early hours of Sunday, March 17, 2013 along with his brother Yasir Arfat, and trusted partner Shera Pathan, in a very gruesome manner. Former SHO of Chakiwara police staion Chand Khan Niazi and his friend, Abdul Rehman, were killed in a similar manner - gunned down on his way back from court hearing.

According to police, unidentified armed suspects on a motorcycle opened fire in broad daylight near Saddar Jewelers Center in the area of Predi police station and fled. Niazi was an inspector and former SHO Chakiwara and nominated in the murder case of Arshad Pappu, the warlord of the Layari gang war. As soon as the incident of firing was reported, SSP South Ejaz Ahmad Rai, SSP Investigation South Dr Farrukh Raza and all the officers of the district and officers and personnel of Sindh Rangers rushed to the spot and immediately cordoned off the area and called the crime scene investigation team to collect evidence.

While talking to the media, DIG South said that a tragic incident had occurred. DIG South Sharjeel Kharal added that the technique of this crime looks similar to the murder of subinspector Javed Baloch, which happened a few months ago. Kharal said that he talked to Additional IG Karachi, and they will form an investigation team to investigate both incidents.

On the other hand, Sharjeel Kharal says that he can confidently say that the Layari gang war is not rising again, and there was no evidence that Layari gang war groups are active. Sharjeel Kharal said that police found 9 shells of 9mm pistol at the spot, which were seized by the police while CCTV footage is also being obtained and eyewitness statements are being recorded. He said that blood samples have also been collected from the site.

Court adjourns hearing

Arshad Pappu’s murder case was heard before a special court in the anti-terrorism complex in Karachi Central Jail. Prison officials produced Lyari gang warlords Uzair Baloch, Zubair Baloch and Zakir. Shah Jahan Baloch, Akram, Yusuf Baloch and Chand Khan Niazi also appeared in the court. The court adjourned the hearing till April 5. After this hearing, police officer Chand Khan Niazi was killed in the Saddar area.