KARACHI, Oct 7: The Anti-Violent Crime Unit (AVCU) of police has arrested two men suspected to be involved in several cases of kidnapping and murder, including last month’s assassination of a finance ministry protocol officer, senior officials said on Sunday.

“The two suspects named Kashif and Ahmed were wanted in several cases of kidnapping and murder,” DIG Investigation Manzoor Mughal told a press conference. “Both were arrested in Korangi after a series of investigations revealed that the duo were also involved in the kidnapping and killing of finance ministry official Liaquat Hussain.”

Mr Hussain was found dead in a deserted Gulshan-i-Maymar area, after he was kidnapped on his way home from work before being shot at twice. A resident of Federal B Area, Block 14, he was posted at the National Bank head office and had served as a protocol officer to Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, when he was the finance minister.

The DIG investigation said the arrested men had also confessed to killing a businessman, Dara Feroze Mirza, and Dr Hameedullah. The both victims were kidnapped before murder, he said and added that the police seized two 9mm pistols from them and further investigations could result in more disclosures.

“We suspect there is a sectarian link to all those killings as we have gathered some information that the arrested criminals were planning more activities,” said Mr Mughal. However, he said, federal intelligence agencies assisted the local police in the investigations, which led to the arrest of the two.

The Sindh police have formed a separate committee headed by the DIG Investigation.