HYDERABAD: The police have arrested 165 target killers in Karachi since this January, but none of them have any political affiliations, said Sindh IG Police Fayyaz Laghari.
He had called a press conference on Wednesday to discuss Muharram security arrangements but targeted killings took most of the time. Laghari also blamed the “third force” that is destabilising the metropolis.
“The arrested suspects have admitted to killing around 32 people this year, and around 280 in 2011,” he said. “We have submitted a detailed report [about these arrests] to the Supreme Court and the federal government.”
The IG strongly opposed the call for a military operation in Karachi and asserted that ongoing capacity building of civil forces, including Rangers “is going to be a big leap forward”. He informed, however, that the army has been requested to be on “standby” in Karachi, Hyderabad and Khairpur. “There are intelligence reports that a terrorist attack on these days is possible.”
The police are also looking forward to legislation on a witness protection programme, for which Rs10 million have recently been approved.
Muharram security in Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas
Later, Laghari talked about the police’s preparations for Ashura in the 13 districts of Hyderabad and Mirpurkhas divisions. Before the conference, the IG also chaired a meeting with the DIGs of Hyderabad and Mirpurkhas range and SSPs of various districts. According to him, up to 12,000 personnel have been deployed in these districts.
Four suspects of the targetted attacks in Hyderabad between November 3 and November 6 have been arrested, said Laghari.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 22nd, 2012.
COMMENTS (2)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
And you think we believe you!