Six arrested in joint Rangers, SIU operation against extortion network

KARACHI, Jun 08 (APP): Pakistan Rangers Sindh and the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) Police, acting on intelligence-based information, conducted a joint operation in Garden, PIB Colony and New Karachi areas, arresting six alleged members of an extortion network.

According to a Rangers spokesman on Monday, the arrested suspects were identified as Muhammad Khan alias Muhammad Jan, Ali Muhammad, Bilawal alias Bilal Lasi, Abdul Sami, Ahmed Raza alias AD and Zain Ali. Arms and ammunition were also recovered from their possession.

The spokesman said that Muhammad Khan, Ali Muhammad and Bilawal Lasi were associated with the Jameel Chhanga gang and were allegedly involved in collecting extortion from under-construction buildings and marriage halls and transferring the proceeds to gang leader Jameel Chhanga, who is reportedly residing abroad.

He said Abdul Sami, son of deceased extortionist Bashir alias Mama, was allegedly working to revive an extortion network linked to the Ahmed Ali Magsi gang. He was also accused of collecting extortion from businessmen and factories in PIB Colony.

The spokesman further stated that Ahmed Raza alias AD, an alleged member of the Samad Kathiawari gang, was involved in providing information and contact details of factory owners, catering businesses and other traders in New Karachi to gang leaders. He was also accused of facilitating attacks on victims through gang operatives to create fear when extortion demands were not met.

Zain Ali, allegedly linked to the Bilal Pappu gang, was involved in extortion from scrap warehouses in Jehanabad and Shershah, besides alleged involvement in drug trafficking.

The arrested suspects were handed over to the relevant authorities for legal action, while raids were under way to apprehend their absconding accomplices, the spokesman added.