KARACHI: The Pakistan Rangers Sindh on Thursday claimed to have detained three suspects linked with the MQM-London who had allegedly planned to assassinate a media person and a former MPA and carry out cracker attacks at gas cylinder shops in several localities.

The paramilitary force and police’s Special Investigation Unit conducted an intelligence-based action and apprehended three suspects, namely Wasiullah, Mohammed Fazil and Mohammed Rizwan.

“The held suspects belonging to the MQM-L are involved in several crimes and extremely wanted,” said a Rangers spokesperson. Arms and hand grenades have been seized from them, the spokesperson added.

During the initial probe, the suspects ‘confessed’ that they belonged to “Wajih group” of MQM-L and under the directions of Wajih they had prepared a terror plot in Karachi, the official added.

The man named Wajih had also provided arms and funds to the held suspects.

“The suspects have confessed that under the orders of Altaf Husain, they had prepared a plan to target” a TV anchor and a former lawmaker of Sindh Assembly, said the Rangers statement.

They also disclosed that they had planned to attack gas cylinder shops with crackers/grenades in Malir, Shah Faisal Colony and Korangi so that big explosions could take place.

“The suspects also admitted that the MQM-L is at present preparing small groups/teams in Karachi to carry out terror acts.”

Published in Dawn, June 26th, 2020