ISLAMABAD: Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ) Rawalpindi President Mufti Tanvir Alam Farooqui was taken into custody by Rangers along with eight gunmen, including a police constable on Wednesday. The arrest took place after illegal weapons were recovered from them.

The joint patrolling team of police and Rangers intercepted a double cabin pickup at a picket. ASWJ Rawalpindi president Farooqui was travelling in the pickup with gunmen.

The men were asked to show licences for their weapons which they were unable to produce. It was also revealed that one of the gunmen was a police constable and carrying official submachine gun (SMG) along with two magazines.

The remaining weapons included two SMGs, one 12-bore repeater and two 9MM pistols. Police said Mufti Farooqui told the personnel that the men are guarding him as he was under threat.

ASWJ spokesman Hafiz Onaib confirmed that ASWJ’s Rawalpindi president was arrested along with his gunmen. He further said Mufti Farooqui has survived three assassination attempts and the police had been unable to provide him security despite requests. The guards were there to protect Mufti Farooqui, he said.

Till the filing of this report the leadership of ASWJ along with concerned police officers were present at Shahzad Town police station discussing the matter.

Published in Dawn, January 1st, 2015