London police renew appeal for help in probe

LONDON: Detectives, investigating the murder of Dr Imran Farooq, have renewed their appeal for help in tracing the killers of former Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader on the occasion of his 4th death anniversary. Imran Farooq was on his way home from work when he was attacked outside his home in Green Lane, Edgware, London, shortly before 17:30hrs on Thursday 16 September 2010.
The appeal, released on Tuesday, said that detectives from the Met Police Counter Terrorism Command (SO15) have spoken to “4466 people, reviewed 7401 documents and seized 3900 exhibits in order to bring Dr Imran Farooq killers to justice.” The appeal called on “anyone with information to come forward four years on.”
Dr Farooq, 50, died as a result of multiple stab wounds and blunt trauma to the head. A five and a half inch-bladed kitchen knife and a house brick used in the attack were recovered at the scene. It’s believed that up to four men took part in the attack but two of them attacked Dr Farooq with a knife and house brick, making sure that he died on the spot.
Scotland Yard said that detectives are committed to finding those responsible for the killing of Dr Imran Farooq. Scotland Yard says that Mohsin Ali Syed and Muhammad Kashif Khan Kamran entered the UK as students, followed Dr Farooq and then left Pakistan soon after the killing of Dr Farooq.
Scotland Yard said that it was continuing to “liaise closely with the authorities from Pakistan”. “A number of lines of inquiry are being actively pursued. It is thought that his murder would have required careful planning and help from other people, some of whom may have provided assistance or information unwittingly. Detectives believe that Dr Farooq was about to launch a new independent political career before his death and this remains a key line of inquiry in this investigation. Police know that in July 2010, Dr Farooq set up a Facebook profile and amassed a large number of contacts through this social network. However, we retain an open mind as to his murder,” said Scotland Yard.
Scotland Yard said that the murder investigation was making progress and so far two men of Pakistani origin have been arrested and both remain on bail. In June last year a 53-year-old Pakistani was arrested from Heathrow airport when he returned from Canada after attending a wedding. A 30-year-old man was arrested in East London, Borough of Waltham Forrest, on 27th of August this year. Dr Imran Farooq’s widow Shumaila Farooq lives in London with her two young sons.