Rangers, CTD arrest ‘most wanted militant’ linked to Fitna al-Khawarij group

Sindh Rangers and the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) carried out a joint intelligence-based operation in the Shershah neighbourhood and arrested a most-wanted militant on Wednesday.

According to a Rangers spokesperson, the arrested suspect was identified as Muhammad Noor alias Khum, son of Wali Khan, who was said to be associated with the banned outfit Fitna al-Khawarij group. Weapons and ammunition were recovered from his possession during the raid.

During interrogation, the suspect confessed to his involvement in target killings, extortion, bomb attacks, kidnappings for ransom, and multiple armed encounters with police, along with his associates Abid Mucchar, Umar Khattab Mehsud, Qayoom Mehsud, Azam Khan, Khan Zaman, Zawil Mehsud, Syed Badshah alias Adrak, Abdul Rehman, Abdul Hakeem, Siddiqullah, Khazan Gul and Abid Chhota.

The spokesperson said the arrested militant joined Mehsud’s faction of Fatanul Khawarij in 2010 and later became part of Muchar’s target killing team in 2012. Most of his accomplices were either killed or arrested during the Karachi operation conducted by Rangers and police. The suspect reportedly went into hiding in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2015 to evade arrest. He was wanted in multiple cases registered at the Manghopir and Khawaja Ajmer Nagri police stations.

The arrested suspect, along with seized arms, ammunition and explosives, had been handed over to the police for further legal proceedings.

Sindh Rangers have urged citizens to report any information regarding criminal or militant activities at the nearest Rangers check post, through the Rangers Helpline 1101, or via WhatsApp, assuring that the informant’s identity will be kept confidential.