18 April 2005	Monday	08 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1426

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PESHAWAR, April 17: Police on Sunday claimed to have arrested the main suspects in the murder of Christian pastor Babar Simpson and his driver Daniel. 0 Speaking at a press briefing here, capital police chief Haji Habibur Rehman said that Pitras, personal assistant of Babar Simpson, who works at the Ilam Dost Foundation, and Amin Bhatti, who works for another NGO, had been taken into custody for their alleged involvement in the double-murder.

Mr Simpson was kidnapped from the University Town area along with Daniel on April 7. Later, their bodies were found in Palusai Khwar near the Nasirbagh locality.

Adil Suleman, brother of Mr Simpson, had registered a complaint at the University Town police station about the kidnapping against unknown people.

During investigation police found that Mr Simpson, being the director of the Ilam Dost Foundation, had been receiving funds from foreign countries as he was also an active member of some other NGOs.

According to police, Mr Pitras was well aware of the funds coming from abroad. He conspired to kidnap the pastor with the help of Amin Bhatti.

The police said they were looking for a third suspect, Abdul Qadir, a former mosque khateeb, who had converted to Christianity due to the efforts of Mr Simpson.

Police had earlier suspected that the two had been kidnapped for ransom since their families had received two calls demanding Rs3.6 million for the release of Mr Simpson.

However, that theory was dropped when their mutilated bodies were found abandoned in a nullah. There were also speculations that the priest was engaged in converting people to Christianity and might have fallen victim to a hate-crime.