Two DSPs removed after subordinate cops found involved in trader’s kidnapping

In the aftermath of a cryptocurrency trader’s recent short-term kidnapping, the Counter Terrorism Department’s (CTD) Intelligence DSP Raja Umar Khattab has been removed from his position and directed to report to the Central Police Office (CPO).

The Special Protection Unit’s (SPU) DSP Raja Farrukh Younus, who was deployed for the security of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects, has also been removed from his position.

They have been removed from their positions because two constables under their command were found to be involved in the short-term kidnapping of cryptocurrency trader Arsalan in Manghopir and the extortion of the USDT cryptocurrency worth Rs90 million rupees.

This incident took place on December 25, after which Arsalan filed an FIR at the Manghopir police station on December 27. In his complaint he provided all the details of the incident, informing the police that private individuals, under the pretence of buying dollars, used a police mobile with five police officers to kidnap him.

They then took him from Manghopir to a spot near the Saddar passport office, where they transferred around 340,000 USDT from his phone to their own accounts. After that they abandoned him near the Quaid’s Mazar.

Footage of the incident that has surfaced shows the police officers in the police mobile. Since this case involved kidnapping, the investigation was transferred to the Anti-Violent Crime Cell (AVCC) on January 1.

The AVCC began their investigation and managed to arrest seven suspects, including one police officer. However, no further developments or claims regarding additional police arrests have been reported so far.

Khattab is considered a senior police officer who has been at the forefront of operations against a range of militant and sectarian outfits in Karachi, dating back to the 1990s.

His career includes significant contributions to combating terrorist groups such as the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, the Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan, the Jundullah Pakistan, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, Al Qaeda, the Zainebiyoun Brigade and ISIS among others.

He has been credited with leading successful operations against various national and international terrorist groups, resulting in the killing or arrest of many militants. He has also worked against separatist groups and solved several major terrorism cases, particularly in Karachi.

His efforts have been pivotal in resolving high-profile incidents, such as the attack on a convoy of Chinese engineers at the Jinnah International Airport and the investigation into the target killing of CTD DSP Ali Raza.

Khattab has also been credited with solving other significant cases like the KPO attack, the University of Karachi suicide bombing on Chinese nationals and the Amjad Sabri murder — all of which are notable contributions to his career in law enforcement.

He has been awarded several prestigious medals for solving numerous high-profile cases, including Sitara-e-Shujaat, Tamgha-e-Shujaat, Quaid-e-Azam Police Medal and Presidential Police Medal.

After IGP Ghulam Nabi Memon’s orders, Khattab has relinquished the charge. Khattab’s charge relinquish report confirms that in compliance with the Sindh police chief’s orders, he has relinquished his position as CTD Intelligence Wing DSP.

At the end of the report, Khattab wrote a line in Urdu, which translates to “May Allah protect all the officers and personnel of the CTD.”

When CTD DIG Asif Aijaz Shaikh was contacted regarding this matter, the officer mentioned that the CIA DIG is handling the investigation of the case. However, when attempts were made to contact the CIA DIG, he was found to be unavailable.

When Khattab was contacted, he clarified that he was neither involved in any inquiry nor did he have any direct or indirect involvement in the case.

He explained that the misconduct report only mentioned two constables, one of whom was from his CTD Intelligence Wing and had used the CTD mobile in this case, leading to his removal from his position.

He shared the following details about the case: “Two constables are involved in this case. One is from my unit, who used the police mobile, and the other is from a different unit. He also took a police mobile. There is no mention of the local police being involved in this incident.”

Khattab said he had written a letter on January 3 stating that based on his initial inquiry, his constable Ali Raza seems to be involved. He requested that an impartial inquiry be conducted and that no relief be given to the constable.

“I still maintain that if this constable was part of my brother Raja Bashir’s team, and if he is found to be involved, I will hand him over to the police myself. They are doing this now just to mitigate their own issues.”

However, Khattab’s brother was on leave. “I called him back via a special flight from Islamabad at 11:30pm so that he can give his statement. If it’s proven during the inquiry, whatever the outcome, I am ready to face it.”

He said they have no direct or indirect connection with this incident. “Yes, a constable from our unit, Ali Raza, was involved. Regarding the transfer, it’s not about anything else but the morale of the force, and it also personally hurt me that this action was taken without hearing my side.”

He stressed that if they believe he has done something for the country, the people or this city, he should be sent back so he can retire with dignity from the CTD. No accusations have been made against him by the AVCC or anyone else, he pointed out.

“In fact, we ourselves provided them with teams. In the misconduct report they filed, only two constables were mentioned, and nothing else. There are no allegations against me. I was removed because the constable, Ali Raza, who took the mobile, was from the CTD Intelligence Wing.”