September 06, 2008	Saturday	Ramazan 05, 1429

KARACHI, Sept 5: Police have arrested three suspects – two of them belonging to affluent families – from the Defence Housing Authority for their alleged involvement in kidnapping for ransom cases.

Police said a businessman by the name of Mohammad Shakir was kidnapped by four armed suspects riding in a car bearing a government registration plate from N Street in Phase IV.

As they were passing close to the Imambargah Yasrab, the car jumped over a speed-breaker; meanwhile, a passer-by noticed a trussed-up man inside the car.

He informed a passing policeman, who opened fire on the car. The occupants of the vehicle panicked and ran into the Phase IV graveyard, leaving the victim in the car.

Meanwhile, police back-up also reached the area and searched the graveyard, but the suspects managed to escape.

SP Clifton Azad Khan said that police found a cellphone and a laptop from the car, apart from the victim, whose mouth was taped and hands were tied.

Police got a lead from the belongings found in the car and traced the two suspects, identified as Hasan Ahmed and Khaqan.

Both the suspects are in their 30s and were picked up from their residences in Phase 1 and the Navy Housing Scheme. “Both suspects belong to well-to-do families, but they were carrying out the crimes for money,” SP Khan said.

He said that police have also found uniforms of army majors and fake identity cards from the possession of the two suspects.

A couple of days back they had tried to kidnap a person – Adnan Shakhani – from the Ferozabad area where they had used the same government-registered car and uniforms, but their potential target didn’t turn up, police said.

In addition to the case of kidnapping for ransom, a case under the arms ordinance and impersonation has also been registered against the suspects.

Police said the two suspects had hired two associates from Lyari for assistance in the crime one of whom – Rafiq – has also been arrested by the police.