Rangers say carried out raid after being informed that Nine-Zero had become a no-go area and hosted criminal elements
At least 27 suspects were presented before an anti-terrorism court on Thursday, a day after the Rangers conducted a raid at the Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s headquarters Nine-Zero and arrested dozens of activists.
Contrary to earlier reports that innocents will be released, the Rangers plan to detain the 26 suspects on a 90-day preventive detention while a joint interrogation team (JIT) is also likely to be formed for further investigation.
Rangers claimed that they apprehended nearly half a dozen target killers, including Faisal Mehmood alias Mota, who was condemned to death by a court for his involvement in the murder of television journalist Wali Khan Babar.
MQM’s coordination committee member Amir Khan is also in the custody of Rangers for investigation.
Nadir Shah, who is also convicted and sentenced 13 years imprisonment, Farhan Shabbir alias Mullah Amir, Ubaid K-2 and Nooruddin Subhani are among the 26 alleged targeted killers arrested during a series of targeted raids at surrounding areas of Nine Zero on Wednesday.
Later during the day, Rangers handed over three MQM workers to Azizabad Police after no evidence of criminal activities was found against them during investigations. The workers were identified as Pervez Alam, Khurram and Azeem and are members of MQM’s Information Department.
Earlier on Thursday, explaining the reasons for conducting the raid on MQM headquarters, Rangers spokesperson said the paramilitary force had information that Nine-Zero has become a no-go area. “We also knew that the criminals were present on the premises,” he added.
The spokesperson further said that the raid was carried out on the orders of the Supreme Court and under the powers granted to Rangers by the federal government.
Karachi Corps Commander Lieutenant General Naveed Mukhtar also visited Sindh Rangers Headquarters in Karachi and met Sindh Rangers Director General Bilal Akbar who briefed him on the law and order situation in the city. He also inspected weapons that were seized in various targeted operations including those recovered from MQM headquarters.
Mukhtar appreciated the efforts of Rangers officials in successfully carrying out operations in the city.
In the meanwhile, business activities resumed in Karachi Thursday, after Rangers’ early morning raid on Nine-Zero on Wednesday. Petrol stations, markets and education institutions including Karachi University remained closed till early morning. Unidentified men had also set a bus on fire in Korangi No 5 in the early hours of the day.