Rangers arrest weapons dealers and extortion suspects in separate intelligence-based raids

Pakistan Rangers (Sindh), acting on intelligence information, arrested two suspects allegedly involved in illegal arms-related activities during raids in Manzoor Colony and Lucky Star, Saddar on Saturday.

The arrested suspects were identified as Rashid Mahmood Awan, son of Muhammad Altaf, and Haji Bano Khan Wasan, son of Haji Long Wasan. According to the Rangers, a large quantity of weapons, ammunition and related equipment was recovered from the suspects’ possession.

The seized items included pistols of different calibres, a 5.56mm rifle, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, various types of magazines, pistol and ammunition pouches, rifle covers, security guard uniforms, weapon parts, 177 weapon licences, 302 identity cards, mobile phones, a computer, and seals belonging to government institutions, banks and security companies. Cash was also recovered during the operation.

During interrogation, the suspects confessed to preparing around 900 fake weapon licences and using counterfeit seals of government institutions. Rangers officials said the recovered licences would be verified by the concerned authorities, and raids were underway to arrest their accomplices. The arrested men and the seized items had been handed over to the police for further legal action. The Rangers had appealed to citizens to report information about such criminal elements to the nearest Rangers check post, the Rangers Helpline 1101, or the Rangers Madadgar WhatsApp number 0347-9001111. The identity of informants would be kept confidential.

Meanwhile, in a separate operation, Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) arrested five suspects — Muhammad Haris, Ali Muawiya, Abdullah Saleem, Kashan Feroz, and Muhammad Sufyan — from Sector 11-A and 11-G in New Karachi for their alleged involvement in several cases of extortion and robbery. Three unlicensed pistols, six mobile phones and cash were recovered from them.

During questioning, suspects Haris, Muawiya, Feroz and Saleem confessed that they used to collect extortion money for notorious extortionists Abdul Samad alias Faizan, Amir Hamza and Yousuf alias Mota. They further revealed that they carried out reconnaissance of factory owners and provided their contact numbers to these extortionists. Officials also stated that Haris had previously been arrested by the Rangers in August 2024 for similar offences. Sufyan was found to be leading a six-member gang involved in multiple robberies across Karachi.

The arrested suspects and the recovered items had been handed over to the police for further legal proceedings. The Rangers once again appealed to the public to report criminal activities to the Rangers Helpline 1101, the Madadgar WhatsApp number 0347-9001111, or the nearest check post. The identities of all informants would remain confidential.