Suspect killed in shootout had ‘murdered woman at Korangi shop’

Police have said a suspect killed in an encounter in Karachi’s Awami Colony was involved in the murder of a woman who was killed resisting a mugging bid.

Police officials said Tuesday Abu Huraira, the suspect killed in a police encounter, turned out to be the leader of a most dangerous and wanted gang. He had opened fire at a shop in Korangi’s Gulshan Market 13 days ago in which the shop owner Qasim, son Haris, and a female customer were injured. The woman, named Saima, later died during treatment.

A few months ago, Abu Huraira shot and injured a traffic officer in the leg at Korangi No. 4 and was wanted by the police. Moreover, Abu Huraira’s gang used to commit crimes in different areas of the city and would shoot civilians to snatch mobile phones.

The suspect had serious cases, including robbery, arms, firing and explosives, lodged against him at different police stations of Karachi. Meanwhile, the District City Police arrested the most wanted operative of gang war associated with notorious Faisal Pathan. The accused was arrested from the Chakiwara police station limits and was identified as Sajjad.

At the behest of Faisal Pathan, Sajjad admitted to being involved in dozens of serious incidents. In 2012, he along with other accomplices abducted a citizen, Zeeshan, and shot him dead in the forest ahead of the Steel Mills. He had been arrested by Baghdadi police in 2012 and had spent five years in jail.

The suspect said that after coming out of jail, he met a criminal, known as 7C, in the fisheries, who used to give pistols on a rent and used to commit crimes.

An accomplice of the accused 7C, who is the leader of the group, is running an organized group in Machar Colony. Sajjad alias Master used to make keys and steal vehicles and motorcycles from different areas of the city and sell them to a drug dealer, Barkat, at throwaway prices.