'Extortion group' behind Baldia factory fire: JIT report

DUBAI: A report by a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) has revealed that an extortion group was behind the arson attack that led to the country's deadliest factory fire claiming 259 lives.

The JIT investigating the 2012 factory fire in Karachi's Baldia Town have prepared an initial report after recording statements of the factory owners in Dubai.

Sources privy to the investigation said the initial report reveals that an organized gang of extortionists in Karachi elaborately planned and executed the attack which resulted in the factory fire.

Sources said that further forensic tests will be conducted by the JIT in the ongoing investigation into the factory fire.