Big fish: Wanted ‘TTP’ terrorist held by CID

KARACHI:

A wanted terrorist of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP),  Muhammad Adnan alias Abu Hamza, was arrested after a raid at his hideout in Keamari on Saturday.

Crime Investigation Department’s (CID) interrogation cell in-charge Mazhar Mashwani said Adnan’s name was in the CID’s red book sixth edition. Two hand grenades and a pistol were also recovered from his possession.

“He is associated with the TTP and al Qaeda,” said Mashwani while talking to The Express Tribune. “His group members are associated with the TTP, Punjabi Taliban and al Qaeda. They are wanted by the police and their names are also in the CID’s red book.”

The accused was also arrested in 2009 but was later released by the courts. “After being released from jail, he escaped to Lahore, where he used a fake CNIC and other forged documents to obtain a job in the Auqaf department,” explained Mashwani.

“Recently, the department transferred him to Karachi. After returning to Karachi, he started reorganising his group.” The officer said that the accused along with his accomplice, Misbaul Haq, associated with the TTP, Talat, associated with al Qaeda, and Azeem Shaikh, belonging to Punjabi Taliban, was wanted by the police.

They were recruiting more people in their group to carry out major terrorist activities. Their main targets were the law enforcers and sensitive installations in Karachi. Further investigations are under way.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 15^th, 2013.