KARACHI: In a joint operation with the Counter-Terrorism Department, Rangers on Friday claimed to have arrested two suspected militants for their alleged involvement in killings of personnel of armed forces and law enforcement agencies as well as targeted killings on political and sectarian grounds.

The paramilitary force along with CTD carried out an intelligence-based action in the city and arrested Samiullah alias Arshad and Mohammed Jaffer alias Barkat allegedly belonging to a banned outfit.

The held suspects along with their other accomplices — Abdullah Danish, Naeem alias Master, Asim alias Capri, Ishaq alias Bobby, Atta Rehman alias Naeem Bukhari and Sabir alias Bhaijan — had carried out scores of targeted killings of personnel of Army, Navy, Rangers, police and others.

According to a Rangers spokesperson, acting on information provided by the held suspects, the law enforcers also recovered arms and ammunition used in terrorist attacks.

Besides political, sectarian killings, the suspects are said to be involved in killings of armed forces men, law enforcers

The suspects were in the most-wanted list of criminals as the provincial government had announced Rs5 million each reward on their arrest.

Their mastermind Atta Rehman alias Naeem Bukhari and Sabir alias Bhaijan had already been arrested.

The held militants were handed over to police for further legal proceedings and “more disclosures” were expected, the spokesperson said.

Sharing details of their alleged crimes, the spokesperson said that Samiullah alias Arshad was involved in targeted killings of four Rangers personnel in Baldia Town in 2015.

He was also involved in targeted killings of policemen from 2014 to 2015 in the metropolis. In 2015, both suspects killed Pakistan Navy personnel Syed Jaffer Raza Shah near the N-4 bus terminus in Baldia Town.

Samiullah was also involved in targeted killings of Awami National Party leaders Dr Ziauddin and Haji Saifullah Afridi during 2014-15 in the city.

Regarding suspect Jaffer, an official statement issued by the Rangers said that he along with his accomplice Abdullah Danish carried out targeted killings of 13 policemen in district West, seven sectarian killings and five murders on ethnic grounds.

These killings were committed on the directions of Sabir alias Bhaijan, who was said to be the chief of a team of hitmen of the banned outfit.

In November 2013, the suspect along with his accomplices carried out targeted killings of four persons belonging to the Ahmadi community.

He also allegedly killed ANP leader Syed Lal Darwesh in the same year.

He also targeted a member of the Shia community, Hasan Abbas.

Besides targeted killings, the held suspect was also involved in several robberies.

Published in Dawn, April 18th, 2020