Night raids: Families of 48 detained suspects protest against police

They were arrested in connection with the murder of a police officer

KARACHI: Police detained around 48 suspects affiliated with various political and religious parties during overnight raids in New Karachi after a police officer was shot dead on Monday night.

ASI Abdul Raheem was shot dead near Power House Chowrangi in New Karachi by unidentified men riding motorcycles. Raheem was part of a mobile police unit conducting a snap check in the area.



Following the killing, New Karachi police and a contingent of Gulberg Town police conducted targeted raids in Sector 5-G, Sector 11-G, Sector 5-J and Godhra Camp. They sealed off the areas and no one was allowed to enter or exit the localities during the operation. Police detained 33 men affiliated with the Pakistan Sunni Tehreek, 13 with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement and two from the Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan, a banned outfit.

Soon after the operation ended, scores of people including MQM workers and the families of those detained gathered near Power House Chowrangi and set fire to tyres on the road.

They blocked traffic for a few hours and shouted slogans against the police.

They said innocent people were being branded as target killers and dragged to courts.

They demanded the immediate release of those detained. Police officials tried to placate the protesters but they refused to call off the demonstration.

Police have registered a case under The Anti-Terrorism Act against two unidentified persons. Raheem's body was taken to his hometown, Dadu, for burial.

DSP Irshad Bhutto told The Express Tribune that the seven MQM workers had been released after interrogations. He said the other detainees would be released if found innocent.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 29^th, 2014.