Alert out for arrests of Rao Anwar, 15 others in Naqeeb murder case

The Ministry of Interior and the home ministries of all the four provinces of the country were issued an alert for the arrest of 16 suspects in the Naqeeb Mehsud murder case, sources informed The News on Thursday.

Mehsud, a 27-year-old native of Waziristan, was among three others who were accused of being terrorists and killed by the then Malir SSP, Rao Anwar, in a fake encounter on January 13. Anwar and his encounter team have since gone into hiding. However, some members of the team have been arrested by the police.

Additional Inspector General of Police Dr Aftab Pathan sent a list containing the names of the 16 police officials, including suspended SSP Rao Anwar, to government institutions, including the provincial secretaries, the Federal Investigation Authority (FIA), the Pakistan Rangers and the Frontier Corps.

A letter was also sent to the police chiefs of Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and all provinces to solicit help in arresting the absconding police personnel. The letter also requested the FIA to put the names of all of the suspects on the Exit Control List, said sources.

The Supreme Court, on Friday, issued a contempt of court notice to Anwar over his failure to show up and directed the State Bank of Pakistan to freeze his bank accounts. The apex court had revoked the absconding cop’s protective bail, issued on its behest on February 13, and ordered the ISI, the MI and the IB to assist in apprehending him and to submit a report in this regard in 15 days.