Caught at last: Rangers, CTD arrest three alleged target killers

Two of the suspects were said to be affiliated with a political party

KARACHI: The paramilitary Rangers and Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) claimed to have apprehended three notorious target killers and extortionists, affiliated with a political party.

The Rangers claimed on Friday to have arrested an alleged notorious target killer, identified as Moiz Saleem. According to the Rangers spokesperson, the suspect is affiliated with a political party but the paramilitary officials did not disclose the party's name. The spokesperson added that the suspect was involved in numerous cases of target killings in the city.

"He was involved in more than 57 cases of target killings, including the killings of two Rangers personnel, as well as attacks on Rangers and police vehicles," said the spokesperson. The suspect was shifted to an undisclosed location for further questioning.

Separately, the CTD claimed to have arrested two suspects during separate raids in different parts of the metropolis. The CTD team conducted a raid on a tip-off near Parking Plaza in Saddar, from where they arrested an accused, identified as Yaqoob alias Mama.

They also claimed to have seized a huge cache of dumped arms and ammunitions on information provided by him. The accused was said to be affiliated with a political party, however, the officials did not disclose the party's name. According to CTD officials, the accused was involved in over 10 cases of target killings of activists and workers belonging to rival groups and parties such as the Sunni Tehreek, Mohajir Qaumi Movement-Haqiqi, Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan and the Ahmed Magsi group of Lyari. "In addition to the killings of rival groups' members, he was also involved in the targeted killing of a former Brigade police station chief, SHO Nasirul Hassan, in 2010 in Lines Area," said an official. One of the suspect's companions, Wasi Haider, was arrested by the Federal B Industrial Area police last month. He had also confessed his involvement in numerous cases of target killings, including those of religious scholars.

In another raid, the CTD arrested Adnan alias Billu during a targeted raid conducted at Manghopir Road, while weapons were also seized from his possession. CTD officials said that the suspect was involved in various cases of target killings, extortion and street crimes. Cases were registered against them while further investigation is underway.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 10^th, 2015.