Seven ‘MQM workers’ detained for 90 days, Rangers inform ATC

Paramilitary force claims having ‘credible information’ of workers’ involvement in criminal activities

KARACHI: Rangers informed an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Tuesday that seven MQM workers have been detained for 90 days for their alleged involvement in cases of target killing, extortion, kidnapping for ransom and terrorism.

The paramilitary force claimed to have ‘credible information’ of the workers’ involvement in criminal activities, and their arrest was disclosed on Monday.

The workers reportedly from Ranchore Line sector of the MQM were brought to the court in military trucks amid heavy security. The hearing took place inside the chamber of ATC-VI judge.

The suspects' counsel said they were being presented blind folded and handcuffed as if they were war criminals, terming it a sheer violation of human rights.

Read: Rangers arrest six 'MQM target killers' in Karachi

The six alleged target killers include Khurram alias Muchar, an associate of MQM Unit 28 in-charge Akhlas; Mahmoud, a worker of MQM Unit 20; Shahid alias Kala, an active worker of MQM Unit 31; Mubin, committee member of MQM Unit 20; Zubair alias Handi, a worker Ranchore Line Sector; Kashif alias Macha, a worker of MQM Unit 30.

Rangers had claimed to have recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition from their possession. These included 14 Sub-Machine Guns, five 12-bore Shotguns, six 30-bore pistols, two 30-bore Mauzer, a 44-bore rifle, an MP5, a 9mm pistol, 32 Ewan bombs, two Light-Machine Guns, five kilogramme explosive material, and two hand grenades.