Five vehicles torched after Rangers apprehend suspects in Gulistan-e-Jauhar

Protests erupt after Rangers detain suspects who opened fire when stopped for snap checking.

KARACHI: At least five vehicles were torched in Gulistan-e-Jauhar on Wednesday evening after a local political leader was arrested.

Trouble started to brew after Tariq Tareen and his two companions were stopped near the Rabia City apartment blocks in Gulistan-e-Jauhar for snap checking. Rangers claimed that the men opened fire on the security personnel when they were stopped. The  suspects were apprehended after an exchange of fire, Rangers said.

Soon after the incident, a score of Tareen's supporters took to the road and blocked it for traffic. They set tyres on fire and pelted passing vehicles with stones. During the protest five vehicles were set alight including a taxi, two private vehicles and two motorcycles. Aerial firing was also reported from the area.

Extra contingent of Rangers and police were deputed to restore order in the area.

Fire tenders dispatched to put out the burning vehicles were turned back by Rangers personnel, fire brigade officials said.

The Awami National Party (ANP) disowned affiliation with the suspects and the protesters. ANP district east president Younus Buneri told The Express Tribune that the ANP has no link with Tareen, instead he belongs to criminal elements.

Buneri added that far from being a member, the party had repeatedly urged authorities including law enforcement agencies to take action against criminal elements like Tareen.

Till the filing of this report, the suspects had not been transferred to police custody.

Targeted operation

Following the incident at Rabia City, law enforcement personnel launched a targeted operation in the area.

Express News reported that the operation launched late on Wednesday culminated early on Thursday. At least eight people were detained by security forces in the operation.