KARACHI: A man arrested by rangers from Karachi's Pir Elahi Bakhsh (PIB) Colony area early on Monday confessed during initial interrogation to 12 murders, including those of three policemen, a press release issued by Sindh Rangers said. Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Farooq Sattar, however, has raised questions about the authenticity of this claim.

The MQM staged a walk-out from National Assembly over the alleged raid on Farooq Sattar's residence. Moreover, party workers and leaders also staged protests outside Karachi Press Club.

The statement identifies the man as Shamshad Ali and maintains that the man is linked to a political party as a ‘right-hand’ man of a party leader. It accuses him of leading a target killing ring that has killed 35 people on his orders.

The statement says that the scope of the investigation would be expanded to include leaders of political parties, who have allegedly received proceeds from extortion and other illegal activities carried out by Shamshad.

Shamshad was arrested along with two others by Rangers personnel from the PIB Colony.

The arrests were made near the residence of Farooq Sattar, who said that the law enforcement agency had carried out a raid in his neighbourhood and removed his security detail.

He had earlier identified the man as Rao Shamshad, and described him as an active member of the party.

Speaking to Dawn today, Sattar said that the Rangers’ statement on Shamshad’s confession seems to be a move to demonise him.

“The ‘confession’ of 12 murders within 12 hours of interrogation raises questions. Why have they [Rangers] issued a statement about this confession? Could they not have stated instead that an investigation is underway? This is an attempt to make him look like a demon,” he said in a telephone interview.

He added that if any individual has to be investigated, the probe should be carried out in a clear manner instead of harassing residents and guards.

“They are just trying to justify an illegal measure,” Sattar said.

He reiterated his earlier agitation of his security camp being removed and ransacked by the Rangers, a move the paramilitary force is yet to confirm.

“What did Shamshad’s arrest have to do with my security guards?” he asked.

The senior MQM leader said that if the raid was conducted on the basis of the Pakistan Protection Act (PPA) then the arrested suspects should be declared as terrorists or enemy aliens.

He also questioned as to why the security forces went to different houses even after Shamshad’s arrest.

Rangers deny raid at Farooq Sattar residence

Earlier, Major Sibtain Rizvi had refuted Farooq Sattar’s claim that a raid had been conducted at his residence, adding that Rangers were in the area to apprehend target killers and extortionists.

Rizvi said Rangers had arrested two alleged target killers and an extortionist during the raid which was carried out two streets down from the residence of Sattar who is MQM's deputy convener and MNA.

The street on which Sattar lives was cordoned off in the process and Rangers took over security of the area in order to ensure arrests of the suspects, he said.