KARACHI, Oct 11: Unlike the detention of Rehman Dakait which was kept secret throughout his period of confinement, police on Wednesday wasted no time in disclosing the arrest of Arshad Pappu, Rehman’s rival in Lyari gang-war.

Arshad Pappu’s arrest materialised early Wednesday morning when sleuths of the Inter-Services Intelligence agency (ISI) accompanied by police, raided an apartment building in Lyari.

Later in the evening, speaking at a press conference at police head office, the Capital city police chief Niaz Ahmed Siddiqui, said a special team of the Crime Investigation Department (CID), with the cooperation of an intelligence agency, raided the apartment of Arshad Pappu in Nayabad, Lyari, around 3am.

The raid resulted in the arrest of Arshad Pappu and his accomplice, Imam Bukash, following an alleged encounter. However, no one was reportedly injured in the ‘encounter’ claimed by the CCPO.

Police recovered two Kalashnikovs, a hand-grenade and two magazines, the City police chief added.

To a query about the identification of Imam Bukash as a policeman posted in Turbat, the CCPO said that at this point we are investigating him and could not make a comment on his background.

Describing the criminal background of Arshad Pappu, carrying a head money of Rs 30 lakh, Mr Siddiqui said he is wanted in over 60 cases of murder, attempt to murder, kidnapping for ransom and police encounters.

Advisor to Sindh Chief Minister on Home Affairs Waseem Akhtar who was also present on the occasion while replying to a query dispelled the impression that Rehman Dakait would now enjoy a free-hand in Lyari following Arshad’s arrest, and expressed the hope that Rehman would also be arrested soon.

Meanwhile, sources said Arshad Pappu had recently returned from Iran following an apparent and abrupt end of his hunt with the arrest of SP Aslam Khan with his associates.

ARSHAD’S WIFE: Leading a group of women, the veiled wife of Arshad Pappu, appeared outside of Karachi Press Club on Wednesday afternoon.

She informed newsmen that her husband had been picked up by law-enforcement agencies on Tuesday night at 2pm from his house at a commando-style operation.

She could not identify the personnel of law-enforcement agencies. According to her, they were in plain-clothes and some of them were in commando dress.

Fearing that her husband might be killed in a fake encounter, she demanded if there were any cases against him, he should be produced before the court of law.

It may be pertinent to mention here that the arch rival of Arshad Pappu, Rehman escaped from police custody on early morning of August 22, after remaining three months and four days in custody of police and intelligence agencies.

It his second successful escape from the police custody. Earlier in 1997, Rehman had escaped while being taken to court.

Following his escape, SHO Kalri Baharuddin Babar was picked by the intelligence agencies and three policemen were arrested.

Since then Baharuddin Babar is said to be still in the custody of intelligence agencies.

Sources said that Babar is believed to have facilitated the escape of Rehman Dakait.