BAHAWALPUR, July 27: An alleged terrorist of the banned Lashkar-i-Jhangvi involved in the murder of former MNA’s father and carrying Rs200,000 head money was arrested here on Saturday.

SSP Sikandar Hayat told newsmen that Muhammad Zikaria of Mauza Kot Azam, Khairpur Tamewali, had murdered Mian Shah Nawaz Peerzada, father of former MNA Mian Riaz Hussain Peerzada, on Nov 15, 1995. He said that court had already declared him as proclaimed offender.

The SSP said on a tip-off, the Khairpur Tamewali police had arrested the PO from the Bhakkar district.

Police had already arrested four alleged killers of Shah Nawaz Peerzada.

He said the Khairpur Tamewali police had also arrested seven dacoits of the Riaza Rath gang. They were identified as POs Mazhar Hussain, Muhammad Amir, Mukhtar Ahmed alias Makha, Iftikhar Ahmed, Haq Nawaz, Muhammad Riaz and Bashir Ahmed. They had confessed to have committed a number of dacoities, he said.

Police also recovered illicit, arms including three rifles, from their possession.

The SSP said 279 POs had been arrested during the last six months across the district. Police had also seized stolen property worth Rs20 million during the period, he added.