Wanted Lyari gang war figures nabbed

One of the most wanted characters in the Lyari gang war, Abdul Baqir, alias Choto, was arrested in an intelligence-based operation jointly conducted by Rangers and police in Baloch Goth, Orangi Town, on Saturday, according to a paramilitary spokesman.

He said that the raid also yielded arms and ammunition. Baqir used to randomly fire gunshots into the air to create fear among the residents and to extort money from businessmen, traders, and builders of Lyari.

He has also confessed that he was involved in sale and purchase of drugs for Rashid Chikna, another notorious character of Lyari gang war, the spokesman said. Baqir has been in an out of prison several times due to his criminal background.

Baqir was handed over to police along with the weapons recovered from him for investigation. The spokesperson appealed to the public to report any criminal activity in their neighbourhoods to the nearest Rangers check-post, Rangers Helpline 1101, or on Rangers Helper WhatsApp number 03479001111. The caller identity would not be disclosed.

Meanwhile, a suspected member of Lyari gang war, allegedly involved in multiple killings, was arrested after a gunfight with police in Machar Colony on the night between Friday and Saturday.

SSP Keamari Fida Hussain Januri identified the arrested suspect as Noor Mustafa who, he said, was an active member of Lyari gang war and wanted to police in multiple cases. He was injured in a gun battle with police in Machar Colony, while his accomplices managed to escape taking advantage of the darkness.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 20^th, 2022.