KARACHI: The alleged killer of a Pakistan Coast Guards sepoy was arrested in an intelligence-based action carried out by Rangers and police personnel in the Preedy area of Saddar, a spokesman for the paramilitary force said in a press release issued on Thursday.

He said that Junaid Baloch, an operative of a Lyari gang led by Jamil Changa, had allegedly killed sepoy Mohammed Bilal when the victim resisted his attempt to snatch his motorcycle and cash near Capri Cinema along the main M.A. Jinnah Road on Sept 9, 2023. He was accompanied by his associate Amir alias Mota, he added.

The spokesman claimed that Junaid had also been involved in targeted killings, extortion, dacoities, drug peddling and encounters with police since he had joined the gang in 2016. His two associates, Naveed alias Kuppy and Waseem Joji, accompanied him in the crimes.

The Rangers spokesman further stated that on the directions of Jamil Changa, Junaid, along with Naveed alias Kuppy, and some other associates, Nauroz and Ali alias Dada, had shot dead a watchman, Shakirullah, in Tharo Lane, Soldier Bazaar, on Sept 15, 2023 when the latter refused to pay extortion money to them.

“During interrogation, he confessed to have been collecting Bhatta (protection money) on a monthly basis from traders and shopkeepers of different markets in Old Golimar and also confessed to have carried out targeted killings,” the Rangers spokesman said.

There were several FIRs registered against him at different police stations in the city, according to the press release.

Published in Dawn, January 26th, 2024