Rangers arrest MQM worker for alleged involvement in May 12 incident

The accused, Abdul Rafiq Rajput alias Kaein, was MQM’s sector in-charge of Mehmoodabad

KARACHI: Rangers have claimed to arrest a senior Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) worker who was allegedly involved in the May 12, 2007 carnage in an operation carried out in Karachi’s Mehmoodabad area.

The accused, identified as Abdul Rafiq Rajput alias Kaein, was MQM’s sector in-charge in Mehmoodabad. According to the Rangers spokesperson, during the initial interrogation, the suspect confessed he was involved in the May 12 carnage near the Baloch Colony bridge. He was also leading a team of targeted killers, headed by Amir alias Dawani of Manzur Colony.

At a press conference held early Monday morning, joint in-charge of MQM's Rabita Committee Amir Khan clarified that Rafiq Rajput is a respected man and was framed as a dangerous criminal.

"These series of injustice and baseless allegations against the MQM should be stopped. He is a dignified and honest man and it is strange that he has been arrested seven years after the May 12 incident," Khan said.

He added that after January 16, there has been an increase in raids and arrests of their party workers, saying those conspiring against the party will not succeed.

The accused was presented in an Anti-Terrorism Court today where Rangers informed the court that he will be taken in preventive detention for 90 days. Rajput will be kept in Karachi's Central Jail for further interrogation.