Lyari kingpin Ameen Buledi identified in court

Witness recognises Lyari kingpin among 10 people who were presented at the parade.

KARACHI: A notorious figure in the Lyari gang war, Ameen Buledi, was identified by a witness in a court in Karachi during the witness parade, Express News reported on Monday.

The witness recognised the Lyari kingpin among 10 people who were presented at the parade. For safety, a high level of security was also present during the court session.

Ameen Buledi was handed over to the police on a 10-day physical remand by a district and sessions court on September 20.

Mumtaz Ali Solangi, magistrate in district south, remanded Buledi to police after he made an appearance before the court following his arrest from Lahore.

Buledi was arrested by the Lahore police a few days ago along with two of his companions, Zubair and Junaid. He was wanted for murder, attempted murder, kidnapping for ransom and several other cases, the police said, adding that Buledi was presented before several courts in connection with different cases for remand.

Sources privy to the matter told  that Buledi was arrested along with his companions right after he met a Sindh lawmaker Sania Naz. However, when contacted, the MPA denied her involvement in the case saying, “I was clueless when people started calling to confirm the arrests. Even Buledi’s family thought I was behind the arrests.”

The companions travelling with Buledi were let go after no sustainable evidence was found against them.

It has been reported that the special police team, headed by inspector Mohammad Sarwar, which had rounded up the 14 alleged target killers from Murree, was behind the arrest.

Rise to power

Two-years ago, little was known about this 40-year-old, who is booked in around 30 cases of extortion. Buledi became famous after he joined the Lyari gangsters. He ran a small gang of 30 members in Lyari before another kingpin of the area asked Buledi to join him.

“Baba Ladla offered him to join the gang,” revealed an insider.

“Buledi accepted the offer as it was a wonderful opportunity for him even if it meant sharing control over the old city areas with Hameed Pathan.”

Buledi, who has previously been associated with the army and the police force, was made the chief operational commander for the Old City areas.

Cases to credit

The Lyari kingpin, along with being an extortionist, is accused of involvement in the murder of a leader of Pakistan Peoples Party and former Lyari Town Naib Nazim, Malik Mohammad Khan, who was shot dead at Aath Chowk over speaking against Lyari gang war elements in April 2012.

Buledi has also been helping gang war elements escape from police custody besides being party to several cases of grenade attacks.

Karachi operations

Some 200 suspects have so far been apprehended by the Rangers and police. Sources in Lyari told The Express Tribune that Buledi’s arrest is the only one major achievement of law enforcers during the ongoing targeted raids and operations, especially in Lyari.

“Still not a single prominent gangster has been arrested so far.

Police officials too believe Buledi’s arrest alone has been a major breakthrough in the ongoing operation.

“Buledi’s arrest is really a big achievement,” said DIG Captain (retd) Tahir Naveed.

“Ahmed Ali Magsi is another operative of Lyari gang war who is operating the city areas, especially in district east and police are also trying to arrest him,” he added.

The business community too have let out a sigh of relief over the arrest.