Islamabad Standoff: I did it out of anger, says Sikander

Sikander says he was ashamed of what he had done in Islamabad, and that Zamrud Khan interfered with negotiations.


Web Desk August 19, 2013
Sikandar who kept traffic and business activities on the point in Blue Area suspended for many hours. PHOTO: AFP/FILE

ISLAMABAD: A statement on Monday from the perpetrator behind the Islamabad standoff, Mohammad Sikander, stated that he had not intended to create such havoc in Islamabad, but did what he did out of anger, Express News reported.

Sikander, who is currently under police custody and undergoing medical treatment after he was shot in the legs by officials, said that he was ashamed of what he had done in the Islamabad Blue Area last Thursday.

Investigative officer of Islamabad Police Abul Rehman interrogated Sikander after doctors stated that his condition was stable.

Sikander had stayed with his uncle in Islamabad after coming from Dubai and had purchased the guns from Akhtar, who hails from Kasrur. Sikander had placed the guns in a bag in the car’s trunk, and had not told Kanwal, his wife, about it, the statement said.

The statement from Sikander said that he did not know that Zamrud Khan, a Pakistan Peoples Party representative who had attempted to grab him while he held Islamabad hostage, was the leader of a political party when he approached him.

Sikander did not want to bring harm to any official by his actions, but wanted to convey the message of Islam and the importance of Shariah to media personnel present at the scene.

Sikander, Kanwal and SSP Operations Rizwan had reached a conclusion in their negotiations that involved no one getting hurt when Zamrud Khan stepped in to interfere, the statement from Sikander has said.

On August 15, Sikander had shut down the heart of the heavily guarded capital for five hours in a standoff that ended with him being shot and wounded.

SSP Rizvan and Sikander had been negotiating with Kanwal serving as a messenger between the two in the Islamabad standoff that lasted for about six hours.

Sikander's weapons supplier arrested

A suspect allegedly responsible for providing weapons to Mohammad Sikander, was arrested following a police raid at Kasrur road near Islamabad, Express News reported.

The suspect, Akhtar, was shifted to Kohsar police station in Islamabad after he was arrested in a raid involving an inspector and three constables.

Akhtar revealed that Sikander had gone to purchase ammunition from a shop on Sialkot road from a man named Abid.

Officials received information on the suspect from phone call records from Sikander's phone, along with intelligence received from his relatives, Express News correspondent Qumar Al Munawwar reported.

Police conducted a second raid to capture Abid on Sialkot road.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[poll id="1201"]

COMMENTS (30)

m omar | 11 years ago | Reply

He might have gained some public sympathy if he had raised the real issue i.e. his son is jailed in Dubai and our government is doing nothing about it. This situation is extended in other arab countries like Saudi Arabia where many Pakistanis are rotting in jails. Remember that people working in these countries mostly belong to labor class and are not educated enough to make sensible decisions like gaining international attention for human rights.

Saad nadeem | 11 years ago | Reply

Sikandar should have been stopped earlier at the security checkpost ,What type of image of Pakistan are we giving to the world.

VIEW MORE COMMENTS
Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ