Target killer: Man wanted for murder of MQM workers, policemen arrested

The suspect has served time in jail from 2001 to 2012

KARACHI: The Sindh Police's Special Investigation Unit (SIU) claim to have arrested a high-profile suspect involved in several targeted attacks, including those on workers of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and policemen.

Furqan Qadri, son of Habibullah Khan, according to the SIU was affiliated with the Sunni Tehreek (ST) and wanted for killing more than 20 people. At a press conference on Wednesday, SSP Farooq Awan said that the suspect held key posts in the party, such as sector in-charge, and was a member of the ST's city central cabinet.

"The suspect confessed to have killed 11 people, including eight workers of the MQM," said the SSP. "He also confessed to the murder of ASI Abdul Raheem Khan within the limits of the New Karachi police station last year." He added that Qadri had been declared a proclaimed offender in at least seven FIRs for murder, attempted murder and attacking police personnel. The suspect had served time in jail from 2001 to 2012.

According to the SSP, they hoped to dig out more details as further arrests and recoveries were being made.

Qadri was arrested on Wednesday during a raid in New Karachi. A pistol and other ammunition were seized from him. There are at least 25 murder, attempted murder, extortion and possession of illegal weapons registered against him at Bilal Colony, New Karachi, New Karachi Industrial Area and Khawaja Ajmir Nagri police stations. He added that DIG West had recommended the Sindh government should award the police team Rs1million for arresting the suspect.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 5^th, 2015.