Extortionists, POs arrested in crackdowns

Islamabad: In a series of operations, the Islamabad Police have hunted down three suspects, including a proclaimed offender linked to multiple murders and two members of an extortion gang that threatened a businessman for a ransom of Rs10 million. The arrests were announced by Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Islamabad Syed Ali Raza during a press briefing at the Rescue-15 Field Office, Monday.

DIG Raza detailed a critical operation in Shahzad Town where police intercepted two individuals on a motorcycle. Upon being stopped, the suspects opened fire, but officers remained unharmed due to precautionary measures, including bulletproof vests. One of the suspects, Ghulam Hussain Shah, was arrested on the spot, while his accomplice managed to escape. Police recovered a 30-bore pistol from the suspect.

Investigations revealed that Ghulam Hussain Shah was involved in multiple violent crimes. On September 26, 2024, Shah, along with accomplices, shot and killed Taseer Hussain Shah and Wajid in the Ramna area, injuring another individual. On January 2, 2025, Shah and his accomplices opened fire in Shahzad Town, killing Syed Aun Shah and injuring three others. Efforts are underway to apprehend his accomplices, the DIG maintained.

In another significant breakthrough, the Anti-Robbery and Dacoity Unit arrested two suspects, identified as Akram and Muhammad Imran, involved in an extortion case. The suspects used WhatsApp calls to demand Rs10 million from a businessman, threatening to kill him if their demands were not met. Using advanced technical resources, police traced and arrested the suspects, recovering, mobile phones used in the crime, weapons with ammunition and a motorcycle.

DIG Raza emphasised that these operations were part of a focused campaign, initiated under the directives of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi, to apprehend proclaimed offenders involved in serious crimes.

Highlighting the success of ongoing efforts, DIG Raza claimed that the crime rate in Islamabad has significantly decreased due to the proactive measures of the police force. "We remain committed to ensuring the safety of citizens and bringing those involved in heinous crimes to justice," he remarked.

The Islamabad Police continue their relentless efforts to dismantle criminal networks and maintain law and order in the federal capital, he concluded.