Operation continues: Rangers, police want intelligence sharing

Two target killers, affiliated with the MQM, apprehended.

KARACHI:

Rangers and police claim to have apprehended around 231 suspects, including target killers and extortionists belonging to different political groups and Lyari gangs, in the ongoing targeted raids in various parts of the metropolis on Friday.

Meanwhile, a coordination meeting of senior police and rangers officials was held  on Friday to review the joint operational strategy and to further strengthen the intelligence sharing network between the departments. The meeting was jointly presided by Sindh IGP and Rangers DG.

"The aim of the meeting was to review the joint operational strategy in detail and to further strengthen the intelligence sharing work to ensure timely action against criminal elements," said District West police chief DIG Javed Odho, while talking to The Express Tribune. "Our actions will continue till the complete restoration of peace and elimination of criminal elements - police is now independent in this regard."



Raids

In the ongoing operation, Sindh Rangers have conducted targeted raids in various areas, including Agra Taj Colony, Sharifabad, Korangi, Natha Khan Goth, Green Park City in Bin Qasim, Liaquat Colony in Lyari, Nusrat Bhutto Colony, New Karachi, Chappra and Quetta Iqbal Hotels in SITE, Federal B Area, Banaras, Pak Colony, Shah Faisal Colony, Dakkhana Chowrangi, Lal Shahbaz Nagar in Orangi Town, Falak Naz Towers in Malir, Sikander Goth, Dhobi Ghat and Chohti Market in Landhi. Meanwhile, snap checking was also carried out at Sultan Masjid in DHA, Karimabad, Khuda Dad Colony and Karachi University. According to the Rangers' spokesperson, 36 alleged criminals, including Lyari gang war elements and target killers affiliated with political groups, were arrested along while weapons were also seized from their possession.

Separately, Rangers also conducted an intelligence driven joint targeted raid in New Karachi and arrested a notorious target killer and ring leader, identified Shujaat Hashmi. According to the Rangers' spokesperson, the arrested target killer was involved in numerous cases of politically motivated target killings. Sources said that the accused is affiliated with a political party and involved in around 100 cases of target killings. He was shifted to an undisclosed location for further questioning.

ANP's extortionists

In another raid, rangers claim to have arrested four workers of the Awami National Party allegedly involved in a number of cases of targeted killings and extortion. According to the Rangers' spokesperson, the suspects were arrested after a raid was conducted on a tip-off at Quaidabad. Their identities, however, were not disclosed.

MQM's death squad

Two more alleged target killers, Zahid aka Joghilla and Kashif aka Sohail, were arrested from Garden. Police officials said that the arrests were made after an encounter, adding that they were wanted by the police in cases of target killing. Two pistols were also seized from their possession. City area SP Faisal Bashir Memon said that the suspects were affiliated with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement.

Meanwhile, around 188 criminals, including 104 absconders, 21 robbers, six murderers, two kidnappers, 17 under the narcotics ordinance and another 17 under the arms ordinance, were arrested during 105 raids and seven encounters. Police also claim to have seized 31 weapons including one Kalashnikov and 28 pistols, as well as narcotics from their possession.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 5^th, 2013.