KARACHI: An assistant sub-inspector along with his eight accomplices was arrested for their alleged involvement in kidnappings for ransom, officials said on Wednesday.

The officials added the gang led by ASI Mohammed Akram had been active for the past one month. They used to kidnap people by posing themselves as officers of the Counter-Terrorism Department of police, said Karachi-West DIG Feroze Shah.

The DIG said the Rangers detained the ASI and some of his accomplices after a raid in the Gharibabad area. The paramilitary force also seized the police van used for kidnapping people, he added.

Separately, the Pakistan Rangers, Sindh, said the paramilitary force conducted a targeted raid in the Hassan Square area. The operation was conducted on the information about presence of ‘notorious kidnappers’ gang’ and the personnel arrested seven alleged kidnappers, according to a Rangers official.

The Rangers also claimed to have seized four SMGs, seven bullet-proof jackets and the vehicle.

The officer did not name the held suspects.

The DIG said that the police, too, arrested two other suspects of the same gang. He said the police had been working on the case after Karachi-West SSP Azfar Mahesar had received ‘information’ about the involvement of the ASI in the kidnapping for ransom cases.

As this is a ‘serious issue’, an inquiry has been ordered, according to the DIG.

The Pakistan Bazaar SHO was removed from his position over negligence, as ASI Akram was posted at Orangi’s Pakistan Bazaar police.

Published in Dawn, January 14th, 2016