- CM Murad Shah says Ishaq alias Bobby and Asim alias Capri affiliated with LeJ’s Naeem Bukhari group were arrested from Karachi’s Liaquatabad area
- Dispels impression some particular community is being targeted in Karachi operation
Two people have been arrested in connection with the murder of famed qawwal Amjad Sabri and other high-profile cases, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah told journalists on Monday.
He said these suspected Lashkar-e-Jhangvi militants involved in 28 terrorist activities in Karachi were arrested by the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD).
Giving details about the CTD raid, the chief minister said the two criminals Ishaq alias Bobby and Asim alias Capri affiliated with LeJ’s Naeem Bukhari group were arrested from Liaquatabad area with a huge cache of weapons.
“Asim alias Capri was Amjad Sabri’s neighbour. We have not found any motive [behind the murder] as yet, but it seems sectarian to us because Sabri used to frequent majalis and was on good terms with the Shia community,” he added.
Murad Shah said, “A CTD team headed by Raja Umar Khattab arrested the two killers. After a probe and forensic investigation, we found proof of involvement in 28 cases.”
Famed qawwal Amjad Sabri was shot dead in June this year by a bike-borne duo near his Liaqatabad residence. He was on his way to a television studio to attend a Ramzan transmission when the incident took place.
Among the high-profile cases registered against the two criminals include the October 30 attack on a Majlis in Nazimabad and the attack on two Army personnel in Saddar area.
Other cases the accused are found involved in are 21 May 2016 attack on police constables in Aisah Manzil, 20 April 2016 attack in which seven policemen were martyred, 1 December 2015 attack in which two traffic policemen were killed, 20 November 2015 attack on Rangers in which four personnel were killed and 29 August 2015 attack in which Amir Haider Advocate Supreme Court was killed.
“We will try to follow the lead through the arrested ones and apprehend rest of their gang,” asserted the chief minister.
Weapons recovered from their possession included three SMGs, 27 pistols and an MP5 snatched from the police.
During the news conference, the chief minister dispelled the impression that some particular community was being targeted in the Karachi operation, saying action was being taken only against terrorists.
About the arrest of former PPP senator Faisal Raza Abidi, Murad Shah said he was arrested over possession of illegal weapons, while Mirza Yousuf was arrested in different cases already registered against him.
The chief minister appealed to the citizens to cooperate with law-enforcement agencies in the ongoing operation against criminal elements.
NO SECT BEING TARGETED:
“There have been protests in Malir today, but there is no particular community or sect being targeted,” the CM said.
“This is to stop terrorism. If we have suspicions, we are detaining people. And when they are being cleared, we are releasing them… This is the biggest menace in our country and we will go to any extent to end it. I request the people of Karachi and across Sindh to support us in this matter,” the Sindh CM said.
“Those involved in the killing of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ) activists will also be apprehended, he said. Police personnel involved in the arrest of suspects will be rewarded, he added.
Offering clarification behind the detention of religious workers and leaders, Murad Shah said, “There were already cases against Mirza Yusuf Husain in which he didn’t have bail and his name was in the fourth schedule. He was apprehended in light of the given situation.”
“[ASWJ leader Taj] Hanafi was also picked up under the MPO because of the ongoing situation.”
Adviser on Information to Sindh Chief Minister Moula Bux Chandio and Sindh Inspector General (IG) AD Khawaja were also accompanying Shah during the press conference.
