KARACHI: A suspect belonging to a previously unknown militant outfit has been arrested for his alleged involvement in the April 21 rummy club bombing in which 22 people were killed and scores of others wounded, police claimed on Monday.

Following the arrest, Sindh Inspector General Fayyaz Leghari wasted no time in holding a press conference at the beginning of which he told the media that the “CID as usual played its role in arresting suspects”.

He said that Mustafa Rehman Orakzai was arrested by a team of the crime investigation department (CID) of police in a raid at his hideout near the Nadiria hospital, off Superhighway. The police also seized 20 kilos of explosives, a rocket, two hand grenades and a TT pistol from the suspect.

The IG said the suspect belonged to “Al Mukhtar group” which had contacts in Waziristan, tribal area.

Asked about the affiliation of the previously little known group, Mr Leghari said: “We are questioning the suspect and it will be premature to comment on the affiliation of the group at this stage.”

He said the investigation done so far showed that Omar Baloch was the ring leader of Al Mukhtar. “Unless Omar Baloch is arrested, we will not be able to establish the affiliation of the group,” he added.

Extortion demand

Apprising the media about the motive of the attackers, Mr Leghari said Omar Baloch had demanded Rs2 million from the club owner some time ago. But the club owner rejected the extortion demand, he added.

Giving a description of the attackers, the police chief said that a day before carrying out the blast Abid Dawood and Rehman went to the club and played there for some time, mainly to assess the level of security at the club.

The police chief said the following day, they carried a bomb in a plastic bag with them to the club and placed it under the table where they played.

He said they left the place and after reaching Ranchhore Line they made a call to a cellphone that was attached to the explosives as a detonator.

About the police role in checking gambling activities in the area, he said the police had registered as many as 21 FIRs against the rummy club over the years.