8 terrorists of Lashkar-i-Jhangviarrested in Multan
MULTAN, Nov 25: A terrorist gang belonging to the Lashkar-i-Jhangvi, has been smashed. Eight members of the dozen-plus fanatic group have been arrested by the Multan Police. This was disclosed by the SSP Multan
at a Press Conference held here on Thursday.
He said among the arrested outlaws were two terrorists, involved in the murder of Akhtar Hussain, owner of the Raza Bakers, Multan Cantt. The killing took place on Oct 1, 1999.
Sajeel-ur-Rahman and Zulfikar, both residents of Multan city, were presented before the mediamen, who confessed to a number of sectarian killings, including that of Akhtar Hussain.
Those arrested included: Sajeel-ur-Rahman, Zulfikar alias Bilal, Tariq Lodhi, Sharif, Salim, Ataur Rahman, Syed Muhammad Khalid and Qari Muhammad Yaqub, all hailing from Multan.
The two, produced at the Press Conference, said they received training at Khost in Afghanistan. They were given targets, the would-be victims, by Ghulam Shabbir alias Dr Nasir.
They said weapons were also provided to them by Shabbir, a leader of Lashkar-i-Jhangvi.
The gang members yet to be apprehended are: Umar Taj of Muzaffargarh, Saifullah, Khalil and Noman, all three belonging to Multan.
The SSP flanked by SP CIA, SP City and Additional SP, gave details of the crimes committed by the 12-member gang of terrorists. "The victims were mostly selected on the basis of sectarian bigotry and hatred," he said.
The gang committed murders of Nusrat Raza at Timber Market, Multan, on June 6, 1998 while Akhtar Hussain Siddiqui was gunned down at Multan Cantt, on Oct 1, 1999.
The SSP told newsmen that Nisar Naqvi was shot dead at Naqvi Medical Store, Khanewal Road. Samiullah, a police constable, was murdered at Khanewal Road, on Oct 9, 1998.
The gang members shot dead three persons, namely Masud Hussain, Mushtaq Hussain and Sheikh Anwar Ali, who were having a morning stroll at Bosan College ground, on March 30, 1998.
The killers of the three, according to the SSP, included Shabbir, Arshad alias Pappu (later killed in encounter) and Qari Umar Hayat.
Allah Nawaz Khan, DSP, Shujabad, and his driver Ghulam Murtaza, a police constable, were killed in Shujabad, on July 4, 1998, by Shabbir alias Dr Nasir, Ijaz alias Jajji, Tariq Virk and Sanaullah. The last three killers were later killed in an encounter.
Iqbal Hussain Jafari was gunned down at Piran Ghaib Road, Multan, on Sept 10, 1998. Ghulam Hussain and Kazim Hussain were gunned down at Bridge Baqir Abad, Multan, on Oct 22, 1998.
Four persons, including three constables, namely Mehr Mumtaz, ASI, Zulfikar Ali, Muhammad Salim, Muhammad Shafiq, all constables, and a civilian, were gunned down by these terrorists, at Gulistan Chowk, on January 28, 1999.
The SSP further said that Nazir Hussain Gondal was shot dead by three of these terrorists at Mohallah Agha Pura, on Nov 26, 1998.
Sub-Inspector Muhammad Bilal was gunned down by Shabbir and Zahid at Koray Wala, Multan, on May 26, 1999.-APP