Karachi
A Lyari gangster wanted for over 10 murders, who had fled to Dubai when the Karachi security operation commenced, was arrested by the District West police, while a major narcotics smuggling bid was also foiled in a separate operation.
Sharing information with the media at a briefing on Sunday, SSP West Azfar Mahesar said the SITE-B police had received information that the suspect, Abdul Rehman alias Khan Bhai, had returned to Karachi.
A raid was authorised and conducted in which Rehman was arrested with weapons after a shootout. During interrogation, it was ascertained that the suspect – who was wanted in more than 13 target killings, and 20 extortion, kidnapping and other cases – had managed to secure a job as a mechanic at an automotive workshop of the Dubai police.
Rehman had, according to the SSP, returned to Karachi on a 15-day leave and intended to return to Dubai within the week.
Narcotics bust
SSP Mahesar told the media that a team of the Pakistan Bazaar police arrested a smuggler with 35 kilograms of hashish.
He said that special directives had recently been issued to curb the flow of weapons and drugs from upcountry areas, and the Pakistan Bazaar police was tipped off about the smuggling bid.
A patrolling team intercepted the identified vehicle and found 35 kilograms of hashish concealed in secret cavities.
The driver, identified as Malik Ehsaan, was shifted to the investigation unit for questioning where it was ascertained that he was a resident of Faisalabad with links to drug dealers in Peshawar and Karachi.
The SSP said the suspect was bringing the narcotics from Peshawar and efforts were afoot to track down and arrest his partners.
Performance data
SSP Mahesar also briefed the media on the district police force’s performance, stating that in a month’s time, they had registered 70 FIRs, arrested 90 drug peddlers, killed five others, and recovered 135 kilograms of narcotics including heroin.
Last year, he said, 35 drug peddlers were killed in operations by the District West police and 2,200 kilograms of narcotics were recovered.
He added that the operation against the drug mafia had now moved towards the Pak Colony area as there were reports of such activities being rampant in the area. Mahesar said SITE SP Sajid Sadozai was leading the operation and was hopeful the area would soon be cleared out.
As for killings in District West, SSP Mahesar said there had been significant reductions and cited the fact that no policemen had been targeted in the district this year, as compared to 97 killed in 2013, 52 in 2014, and 7 in 2015.
As for murders, he said, only six enmity-driven murders had been reported in 2016, while there were 56 in 2013 and 21 in 2015.