Three extortionists, target killer arrested in ‘encounter’

Karachi
The West Range police claimed to have arrested three activists, said to be associated with a political party, in a raid conducted in the Khwaja Ajmer Nagri area on Monday. They were allegedly involved in extorting money from doctors and pharmaceutical companies by using names of banned terrorist outfits.
Wasif Rafiq and Faizan alias Maato were arrested following a raid on their hideout, stated DIG West Feroze Shah.
A third companion, Hassan Tufail, who is said to be the one who would deliver the threats and has also been involved in doctors' murders, was arrested on the information given by the two accused. The accused had targeted doctors and industrialists in Jauharabad, Azizabad, New Town and PIB Colony areas, the official claimed.
He said that since the onset of the Karachi Operation, all investigation units were directed to conduct targeted operations and also review existing cases of terrorism and extortion.
In accordance with the directives, a team of the West Range police had started monitoring a gang known for collecting extortions from pharmaceutical companies; technical assistance led to the knowledge of their presence in North Karachi.
The officials claimed to have recovered extortion receipts and a computer from their possession, during a search of their hideout.
The receipts along with other items recovered, confirmed of the gang’s involvement in extortion cases mostly of doctors. The activists had also used the name of Lyari Gang War to solicit extortion money, Shah said.
The DIG further added that during investigation the accused disclosed the names of two leaders, Hafiz Furqan and Johnson, who they claimed were operating the gang from South Africa.
It was further disclosed by the accused that extortion receipts were mailed to them following which they would get printouts and mail the parcel via courier to their respective targets, the police official claimed.
Moreover, the accused Johnson was said to be a resident of Johannesburg; he used to take the extortion money via an international money transfer company.
DIG Shah stated that the accused had solicited extortion from pharmaceutical companies’ including Sanofi Aventis, Karachi; Barette Hodgson, Karachi; Shaigan Pharmaceutical, Rawalpindi; Korangi Industrial Area and two doctors working at the National Medical Centre, Korangi and the gastrointestinal department at Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi.
The police also released a transcript of the extortion messages the accused used to send which read, "Doctor abhi goli beji hai bad may maronga isilyai phone keronga mobil per ya ptcl per bol daina babu ka phon ayega apany staff say rabta may raho gey to faiday may raho gey abhi apki umar naee goli khanay ki.”

Medicine trader killed
Zeeshan Mujeeb, 27, a resident of Golimar, was shot dead in Soldier Bazaar.
SHO Mohammad Rafay said the deceased owned a medicine shop in the medicine market. He had been heading home on his motorcycle when armed unidentified men shot him dead on Muzrat Road, near Ismail Market.
The trader was taken to Civil Hospital Karachi (CHK) where he was pronounced dead from a single gunshot wound to the head.
The police believe the murder to be a part of targeted attacks in the city.