10 target killers apprehended in Karachi, say Rangers

KARACHI: Pakistan Rangers Sindh on Saturday claimed arresting 10 target killers in operations carried out in various areas of Karachi during the last 24 hours.

According to a Rangers press release, out of the 10 apprehended men, four belong to religious-militant groups, three have links with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and three belong to the Mohajir Qaumi Movement - Haqiqi (MQM-H).

One Rangers official Tariq Hussain was injured when Nabeel alias Sherry, a target killer associated with the MQM and a resident of Shah Faisal Town, opened fire at the paramilitary force personnel during an operation, a Rangers press release said.

This was followed by retaliatory firing on part of the Rangers during which the suspect Nabeel sustained minor injuries and was later arrested, the statement said.

It added that all arrested target killers will soon be presented before anti-terrorist courts.

Earlier last month, Dawn newspaper had reported that Karachi Corps Commander Lt Gen Naveed Mukhtar had reiterated his trust in Rangers and other law enforcement agencies leading the ‘Karachi operation’.

On the occasion, Mukhtar had said that the operation was “apolitical, indiscriminate and free of any compromise” and was aimed at bringing the violence-hit city back to normality.

The deployment of Pakistan Rangers, Sindh, in Karachi is requisitioned under Article 147 of the Constitution, and under Clause 1 of Sub-section 3 of Section 4 of Anti-Terrorism Act 1997.

The paramilitary force has been authorised to prevent the commission of terrorist acts, or scheduled offences in notified area for the punishment of terrorist acts in accordance with the provision of the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997.