Latest news with #WasiullahLakho
Express Tribune
12 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Extortion shadow looms over the metro
The extortion mafia has once again raised its head in the city, with 32 cases reported over the past five months. The highest number of incidents — 10 — were reported in District Central, where extortionists not only targeted individuals but also caused loss of life through gunfire. Taking notice of the rising number of extortion cases, Karachi Police Chief Javed Alam Odho has formed a 13-member team comprising the SSP of New Karachi Division, CPLC, SIU, technical team members, and officers from the operations wing of the District Central police. So far this year, 11 extortion cases were reported in January, four in February, nine in March, five in April, and three in May. According to reports, hotel owners, food centres, paan shopkeepers, and street vendors were blackmailed and threatened with dire consequences if they did not pay extortion money. In the New Karachi area of District Central, a young boy and a social worker — who was providing iftar to citizens during Ramazan — were killed in firing by extortionists. Additionally, several shopkeepers have reported cases to the police in which they paid extortion money. It is worth noting that investigations have revealed evidence of the involvement of the Lyari gang war's Wasiullah Lakho and Samad Kathiawari groups in these extortion cases. Police have already arrested several members of both groups. The special team formed to crack down on extortionists will be headed by SP New Karachi Division Salman Waheed, and will include Assistant Chief Operations of CPLC Kashif Iftikhar, Deputy Chief District Central Sheikh Faraz, and Naveed Hashmi. Other members include DSP Operations Wasif Qureshi and DSP Investigation Nasir Afridi from the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) of the CIA Police, SHO SIU Inspector Malik Mazhar Awan, and technical team members Sub-Inspectors Qadir Jalali and Zeeshan, along with area Head Constable Faraz. The team also includes the SDPO of New Karachi from the Operations Wing of District Central and the technical team of District Central. In addition, the team may seek assistance from any police officer within the Karachi Range as needed. The Karachi Police Chief has tasked the team with preventing further extortion cases in District Central and arresting those involved.
Express Tribune
30-03-2025
- Express Tribune
'Notorious gangsters' held; arms recovered
The law enforcement agencies (LEAs) in Karachi have made significant strides in combating organised crime and street violence with the arrest of two notorious criminals involved in a number of heinous crimes. In a major operation, the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) apprehended Sadiq, a key operative of Wasiullah Lakho gang, in New Karachi Sector D-11. The agency said, Sadiq was found in possession of illegal weapons and banned materials. He was also involved in allegedly extorting money from pan vendors and roadside stall owners through 'bhatta slips'. Sadiq has been jailed in the past. His arrest is expected to yield further sensational revelations which will help curb crimes in the city. In a separate opertion, New Karachi Industrial Area police arrested Zeeshan alias Mulla, accused of robbing a citizen of Rs1.5 million cash and two mobile phones. Police recovered a stolen phone and a pistol from his possession. During the interrogation, Zeeshan confessed to his involvement in the December 15 robbery, where he shot and injured the victim, Sameer Shahzad, and looted victim's cash and phones. A case has been registered against him for various crimes including possession of illegal arms and stolen goods.
