MQM workers arrested from Landhi were criminals, claim Rangers

While MQM claimed that seven members had been arrested, the Rangers provided details of only four men

KARACHI: The paramilitary force on Friday evening claimed that some of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) workers they had arrested, during the early morning raid in Landhi, were criminals.

The Sindh Rangers in a statement on Friday evening said that they had conducted a ‘surgical action’ in Landhi-VI after receiving information that some wanted criminals were present there.

A spokesperson for the paramilitary force added that among those arrested, four were criminals, including a target killer.

Disclosing details of some of the four criminals arrested, Rangers alleged that Aqil, in charge of MQM’ unit 84, was involved in target killings. They further claimed that he was a close associate of Saleem Inqlabi and Manzoor Lamba.

Nasiruddin, the joint unit in charge of MQM-A’s unit 84, was allegedly involved in murders and other heinous crimes.

Sajid, an active member of MQM-A, was allegedly involved in weapons smuggling, the Rangers said.

They added that they found no criminal record of Ghayasuddin and that he will be handed over to his parents soon.

On Friday, the MQM said that Rangers had raided four of its unit offices in Landhi just as workers were preparing to celebrate Independence Day.

"Rangers raided the party's Landhi offices in the wee hours of the Independence Day and arrested seven workers," MQM leader Dr Farooq Sattar said, while addressing party workers during a two-day Independence Day celebration at Jinnah Ground.

While the MQM claims seven party workers were arrested, the Rangers have provided details of only four men.