- Gunman arrested after holding capital hostage for five hours
- Wanted implementation of Islamic system in country
- Police, security forces play silent spectators
The mysterious gunman who held Islamabad police captivated for over five hours on Thursday was finally taken in custody by security personnel, but only after some valorous heroics from Pakistan People’s Party leader Zamurrad Khan.
Sikander, the gunman demanding implementation of an Islamic system in Pakistan, something he believed was possible by morning, was nabbed after he stumbled trying to escape a brazen attempt by the PPP leader to overpower him and take away the gunman’s weapons.
Sikander is now in police custody. Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan had given orders for him to be taken alive.
Just before evening, the armed man opened fire at police in the heavily-manned heart of Islamabad after slipping past the capital’s many checkpoints.
The gunman, onboard the vehicle with his wife and two kids, drove his vehicle into the centre of Islamabad, stopping only a stone’s throw away from the president’s official residence and fired several rounds in the air.
Sikander had two assault rifles in his possession that he openly wielded in the capital’s Red Zone with impunity for hours.
“I am against vulgarity and immorality. My associates have taken up positions in the whole of Pakistan,” he told a local TV channel. “I have visited all parts of Pakistan and have been saddened by the state of the people.”
Hundreds of onlookers gathered at the central Jinnah Avenue as night fell and periodic gunshots rang out in the air.
He seemed confused in his demands, and it was unclear how he managed to paralyse the city centre and cause a standoff with police, including anti-terrorist units.
Security has been tight in Islamabad after police received an alert about possible attacks by militants operating from the Tribal Areas.
Many senior police officials, including SSP Dr Rizwan were present at the scene to control the situation and persuade the man to surrender peacefully.
Dr Rizwan made several attempts to talk Sikander out of his antics, but to no avail.
The gunman sat comfortably in his car parked in the centre of the main road, often resorting to smoking, while his two children played in and around the car and his wife acted as the messenger between Sikander and the police.
Police and Rangers cordoned off the area, while four snipers were also deployed to take action when needed.
The gunman made some ambiguous demands during negotiations with SSP Dr Rizwan. He demanded end of the current governance system and its replacement with an Islamic system. He also demanded a safe exit and protection for his family.
He demanded the presence of at least five senior police officials for further talks, besides claiming that he was doing all for Islam.
One of his demands also included the release of his son from prison in Dubai.
Sikandar is a resident of Mohala Qazipura in Hafizabad district of Punjab. His wife’s name is Kanwal and her children’s names are Abdullah and Farwa.
People in Sikandar’s neighbourhood in Hafizabad said he was a drug addict and had another wife, Hania, in Dubai.
The neighbours said Sikandar was a man of strange conduct and did not carry a good reputation in the locality.
I wonder why police commandos were not able to capture him?
Well done Zamurd Khan.
Government should try to find out the people behind this drama. It may be a warning by Taliban.
No doubt people of Pakistan are Muslims however majority don't like "nafaz shariat on gun point" except followers of Zia.
The police and rangers wanted formal instructions in writing by the Ministry of Interior; thanks to the suo mottoes and the guy with a warped ego who sits in one of the buildings nearby.
Sikander should be hanged after investigation.
WHY?
WHAT A RUBBISH SUGGESTION.
such extremists shud be hanged publically
Was it just me or was his wife quite pretty?
@TheWife
No,she’s very ugly.
My real concern here is how in the world this guy with all those assault rifles get past all those check points???????? Next time I hear any politician claiming to have fool proof security,I'm going to kick him right in his b…s(if he has any)
@Desi, Dear it was a stage drama Had this person a trained guy than Zamarud must be Shaheed of Nation with at least 20 bullets in his belly. Look at him he was so un professional that hi fired on in the leg of her wife. The players were some others and the motive was to keep people busy at this place. That is why he was not killed, How a person firing recklessly not fired upon by snipers in head to save many, and why was he so fearless even he can't shot a single to Zamarud..People are not fools as thought by State characters
govt of pakistan must immediately address such initiatives on the part ugly culprits who are playing with innocent massses with out any further delay or simply leave the place for who can perform and pakistan can not afford any more and our soil is becoming more vulnerable by each passing moment.plz politician dont ignore this reality to avoid more lives so plz put action sharp now in letter and sprit because these are your peoples who are perished each day in scores.plz establish the govt rule before its too late and nip in to bud this terrorism..we love you zamraad we love you zamraan,I cant find words….May you get life of thousands of years of endless joy and happiness,content soul,we are proud of you,we salute the mother who gave birth to you……………………BRAVO BRAVO BRAVO………….
A great display of valour by Zamurad Khan. It is a shame that a politician did what many police officers and the Rangers crew didnot. Question is why? Did they wait for Zamurad to use his superpowers or they were out of ammo? Why were they laying dormant? Another thing is that they could have used rubber bullets or temporary paralysis shots instead of real bullets. Why they didn't? They were not even able to intercept their calls when this technology has become in most of the modern countries. We need to think on this one coz Zamurad could have been killed!
absolutely perfect
It looks like a Drama staged by PPP or some other political party. The Interior Minister Ch. Nisar Ali was sleeping deep while this Natak was going on for 5 hours.
If it was a drama by PPP then why not PMLN govt took action immediately, was they accomplic in the drama. You r not making sense anyway.
Messers Sikandar and his brood never kept Islamabad or anybody else hostage even for a minute. It was our media that kept the entire nation hostage till the drama ended.
How many Italian sharpshooters did it take to execute Mousoulani – answer 7000 ( need some contact blood sports on TV – even our well meaning politicians don't know how to tackle)
It is nothing but just improving the ranking of tv channels. The electronic media persons were enjoying this drama alongwith general public. The persons standing around were not scared by the armed persons actions. The beautiful spouse of the armed person was also roaming around unscared. I also enjoyed this drama. But the traffic Police personnel who intercepted him must be rewarded.
Where was Zamurad Khan when Zardari was looting the country? He did not stop him and the country faces default
Where r u when Nawaz Sharif is looting the country. Car scandal, NandiPur, LNG scandal how many scandals in just two months of this govt. You broke their 5 years record in two months. Why r u sleeping now?
Well said Tahir!!
Where was Mr. Beans during all this episode?
But more surprisingly, no statement so far from Shehbaz or Ch Nisar that all this drama was planned by Zardari.
ch.nisar was not sleeping…he was just handling yhe dramatic situation created by zardari…:/
*the
Pakistan can be proud of Zamurrad. He deserves Hilal-i-Pakistan. It is surprising that Nawaz Sharif and Chaudhry Nisar did not have the grace to issue a statement of praise and thanks for what Zamarrud did. He put his life in grave risk. Still, after he had taken on Sikander, the snipers took a long time to fire at him. This incident has proved to be a complete failure of the government. Nisar was seen no where, perhaps busy fixing his hairy wig. There was nobody from PML-N leadership to go and face Sikander. Actually, they are bunch of cowards who only know how to conspire, rig elections and then make money through corruption, bank loans and SROs. It may not be out of place that suo motto player may also be responsible for the inertia displayed by law enforcement agencies.
What you said Shahid it is very true. Rana Sanaullah has shown a soft corner for Skandar and he did not like what a Zamurred did. We appriciate Zamurred.
PMLN cannot fight terrorism. They r with terrorists by heart. They lack the will. So Pakistan can never progress economically under PMLN. Right from the beginning they started looting Pakistan just after two months in power. So many corruption scandals in just two months.
he is the very brave man but one man atack on any police man but y?
I am amazed by the comments,calling the guy a super hero,some want him to get the Hilal-e-Pakistan lol.If the coward police and all the other forces had just gone to talk to the guy,anyone could have disarmed him,the guy is a druggie,a moron.As some claim that the PPP was behind it,a drama created ? thats always possible,its Pakistan,it is so easy to make an a.. out of people,read the comments,you'll see what I mean LOL
PMLN cannot fight terrorism. They r with terrorists by heart. They lack the will. So Pakistan can never progress economically under PMLN. Right from the beginning they started looting Pakistan just after two months in power. So many corruption scandals in just two months.
shame on police & army performance, they could not handle a single non trained person if they were facing any professional criminal or well trained criminal then what happened yesterday. he was alone and confidently standing in front of police high ranker and many others arm force…… its really amazing government is fail to protect the people. we are all insecure. it must be dismissed to all posted police & arm force as well.
Zumurd Khan you did prove that Khan is real brave ….. we proud of you khan sahib.
you did it….. just like a hero. May you live long!
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PMLN cannot fight terrorism. They r with terrorists by heart. They lack the will. So Pakistan can never progress economically under PMLN. Right from the beginning they started looting Pakistan just after two months in power. So many corruption scandals in just two months.
PMLN workers and ranks have sympathy for terrorists. PMLN inherently incapable of eliminating terrorists. They r their backbone of vote bank.
Police should have cleared orders from their authorities to shoot these persons on spot, see how our country would be clear and neat from tarriousm
When culprit entered in a restricted zone should have been shot dead Police failed at that spot to carry out their duties. Zamurd Khan did a great job though it was a risky move but it must be appreciated and I give him 100 out of 100 marks Lucky that culprit's bullet failed to harm Zamurad Khan God was with him PML N government got wake up and do more to protect the citizens of Pakistan.
PML-N troll is crticizing Zamarud Khan just because he is PPP stalwart. Indeed he put his life at stake but he saved lives of many. PML-N fake shers just hide behind their walls and did not dare to come out. What a silly performance by police as well. Rana Sahib it is easy to make tall clames but it is hard to put your life at risk. Have you courage to do this??????Cowards….
I wonder what type of nation are we. Why we always admire and appreciate short-lived, mindless heroism. Zamrud khan attempted to so something for which he was trained nor experienced. Yet he tried to become hero putting in danger his life, the life of two childeren and the onlookers standing near the scene. I know most people would hate my comments but in my view Zamrud Khan should be charged for jeoperdizing and interfering in the work of police.
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Liked your comment …
I think you are right …
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I condemn the incident but its a reaction of frustration
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