Swift response: Police arrest two ‘target killers’

Claim suspects involved in sectarian killings in DI Khan, Bhakkar .

RAWALPINDI:

The police on Saturday claimed to have arrested two target killers allegedly involved in sectarian killings.

The arrested persons were identified as Adil Abbas and Ghulam Mujtaba alias Janu, both from Dera Islmail Khan. They confessed, according to Regional Police Officer (RPO) Umer Akhtar Lalika, of killing 13 members of the defunct Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan and injuring many in DI Khan and Bhakkar.

Speaking at a press conference, the RPO said the suspects have also revealed important information that would help police arrest those involved in incidents of target killing in the twin cities.

Lalika was flanked by the City Police Officer and Superintendent of Police (SP) Rawal Division Karamatullah Malik.

He said the increasing incidents of target killings in Rawalpindi and Islamabad were fanning sectarianism, adding that those arrested by the police have targeted several leaders and activists of rival sectarian groups this year.

“Keeping the alarming situation in view, a special team comprising SP Rawal Division, SP Investigation Muhammad Haroon Joya, SHOs of Banni and Pirwadhai police, and other officials was formed to nab the target killers,” he said.

The suspects, during interrogation, reportedly confessed to belong to a group that calls itself the “Hussaini Tigers”, it was revealed at the conference.

“Though these suspects were active in DI Khan and Bhakkar, their arrest will help us get those involved in target killings here at home,” informed Lalika.

He said the police have been conducting search operations in almost all parts of city, including Dhamial Road, to purge these areas of anti-social elements.

So far, 364 search operations have been carried out during which some 150 Afghan nationals were booked under the Foreign Act while cases were also filed against 200 others, he informed futher. A comprehensive security plan has also been devised by the police with the cooperation of traders and members of both sects to ensure a peaceful Muharram, revealed the RPO.

On Friday, after the afternoon prayer, seminary students and members of religious parties had taken out a protest in Raja Bazaar, Rawalpindi against the recent target killing of Madrassa Taleemul Quran’s official Mufti Amanullah. Protesters had demanded immediate arrest of the killers and the ‘normalisation’ of affairs before Muharram, which last year saw deadly clashes between mourners and the madrassa’s members on Ashura which left at least nine killed and hundred injured.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 28^th, 2014.