KARACHI: Two suspected gangsters were arrested on Wednesday for their alleged involvement in demanding extortion from local businessmen on the directives of their handlers hiding in Iran, officials said.

They said that acting on a tip-off Noor Muhammad and Isa were arrested in a joint raid conducted by the Rangers and police in the Garden area.

A Rangers spokesperson said in a statement that the held suspects called a Timber Market trader on Whatsapp, introduced themselves as members of the Wasiullah Lakho-led gang and asked him to pay them Rs500,000 as protection money.

They reduced their demand to Rs50,000 and asked the trader to send the cash through his employee. The trader, however, informed the Rangers who formed a special team that apprehended both the suspects.

During grilling, the held suspects revealed that they were getting instructions from their handlers in Iran for carrying out extortion-related activities.

The spokesperson said that the whole family of suspect Isa had been living in Chabahar, Iran for the past three years. Efforts were underway to arrest their accomplices, he added.

Six suspects hurt in four ‘encounters’

Six suspected robbers were shot at, wounded and arrested in as many as four alleged encounters in different parts of the metropolis on Wednesday, police and rescue services officials said.

The encounters took place near Superhighway, Korangi, Zaman Town and SITE.

Published in Dawn, January 18th, 2024