KARACHI: An antiterrorism court indicted on Thursday two suspected target killers in a case pertaining to the killing of four men, including three activists of the Mohajir Qaumi Movement-Haqiqi, in 2012.

Raees alias Mama and Ahsan Iqbal with their four absconding accomplices have been charged with murdering MQM-H’s vice chairman Zafar Khan Qaimkhani, central committee member Aleem Khan and central executive committee member Abdul Qadir Gilani in Landhi in 2012.

The ATC-XIII judge, who conducted the trial in the judicial complex inside the central prison, read out the charges. However, the accused pleaded not guilty and opted to contest.

Man remanded in murder case of Rangers’ sepoy

The court directed the prosecution to produce its witnesses for evidence on the next date. It also declared four co-accused, including Hammad Ahmed Siddiqui and Manzoor Ahmed alias Lamba, as proclaimed offenders, after the investigating officer declared them untraceable.

According to the prosecution, the detained and absconding accused, said to be associated with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, on direction of their leadership killed their rival MQM-Haqiqi leaders.

The victims had left Sherpao Colony to attend a meeting, but their car broke down on their way. Therefore, they were travelling in a taxi, which was sprayed with bullets by three men wearing police uniforms at Mansehra Colony, it added.

Qaimkhani was said to be associated with the MQM-H since it was formed in 1984 and was second to party’s chairman Afaq Ahmed.

Murder case of Rangers’ sepoy

A judicial magistrate remanded on Thursday a suspect in police custody in a case pertaining to the death of a Rangers’ sepoy in a road accident.

Syed Asad was booked and arrested for allegedly injuring two Rangers officials, Mohammad Asghar and Khizar Hayat, by hitting their motorcycle with his car in the Defence Housing Authority late on Monday night. Later, Asghar succumbed to his wounds in hospital.

On Thursday, the investigating officer produced the detained before the judicial magistrate concerned (South) and informed that he was arrested on Wednesday in the case.

He requested for physical remand of the suspect in police custody for interrogation and completing other legal formalities.

The magistrate remanded the detained suspect in police custody for one day with direction to produce him on Friday (today) along with investigation report.

Published in Dawn, August 10th, 2018