Rangers arrest MQM-L hitman in Surjani

The Sindh Rangers claimed on Friday to have arrested an activist of a political party involved in target killings.

A spokesman for the paramilitary force said their troops conducted an intelligence-based raid in the Surjani Town area and arrested a suspect, Muhammad Asad Khan, alias Umer, associated with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-London (MQM-L). He was shifted to the Rangers headquarters for interrogation.

According to the Rangers, the accused was involved in a number of target killing cases in the city. On December 28, 2018, he along with an accomplice allegedly resorted to random firing at an office of the Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) in Usmania Colony, Gulbahar, in which two men, Azhar and Naeem, were killed while two activists of the party were also injured.

Moreover, the suspect also allegedly attacked the UC office of MQM-Pakistan in New Karachi on February 11, 2019, in which a political activist, Shakeel Ansari, was killed and another man, Azam, was injured.

Several FIRs have been registered against the suspect at various police stations, including the Rizvia and New Karachi police stations. Several associates of the accused reportedly were also earlier arrested and jailed while he was declared an absconder. Further investigations are under way.

The Rangers troops also conducted a targeted raid in Orangi Town along with the local police and arrested a suspect, Muhammad Hussain, said to be involved in a number of armed robbery and dacoity cases.

The law enforcers also seized weapons and stolen items, including a 9mm pistol, 30 bore pistol, 21 mobile phones, motorcycle, cash and prize bonds amounting to Rs42,500, two gold rings and two gold earrings from his possession.

Investigations revealed that the suspect along with his associates Bilal and Raheel used to commit crimes in different areas of Orangi and SITE and he reportedly confessed to committing more than 40 street crimes and dacoities. Further investigations are under way.