3 Lashkar-e-Jhangvi men held

Three men allegedly associated with the banned sectarian outfit, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, were arrested in Karachi.

Three men allegedly associated with the banned sectarian outfit, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, were arrested from Orangi Town, MPR Colony and Liaquatabad Road on Thursday.

The Crime Investigation Department (CID) of the Sindh police believed that these men are involved in targeted killings in the city.

SSP CID Fayyaz Khan received a tip-off from an anonymous source that three people suspected to be involved in targeted killings were hiding in the city.

A team of police officials carried out a raid at the specified places and arrested Hafiz Muhammad Ali Qureshi, Talha Zubair and Muhammad Zahid.

They also seized three TT pistols and 12 bullets from their possession. Khan said that the accused Qureshi and his accomplices were involved in the murder of Qayyum Baba, a faith healer in Gulshan-i-Bahar in 2001.

The accused also allegedly attacked two brothers, Yousuf and Asif, believing them to be associated with Shias.

Yousuf had died on spot whereas Asif sustained serious injuries.

At least six cases, including charges for murder and attempted murder have been registered against the arrested suspects.

Qureshi and his accomplices Zubair and Zahid, were also accused of opening fire at a city district government inspector Shameem in Koranhi-5 as they thought he was Shia.

The principal of Monotechnical College, Imam Gul, was allegedly killed by Qureshi and his accomplices due to his sectarian beliefs.

They also killed a Shia doctor, Dr Mehtab, in Orangi Town, SSP CID Khan said.

The criminals were also involved in the killing of two police personnel according to the CID officials.

Khan said that the accused belong to the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi but further investigation is underway.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 25^th, 2010.