Rangers breaks into Nine Zero; detains party workers

KARACHI (Web Desk) - Rangers have entered Muttahida Qaumi Movement's (MQM) central secretariat Nine Zero late Monday night, after taking five senior MQM leaders into custody earlier in the day.

The paramilitary force which includes women personnel entered MQM office Nine Zero late on Monday. Reports suggest that party workers will be detained.

Rangers personnel entered surrounded the Azizabad neighborhood before entering Nine-Zero and the Khursheed Begum Memorial Hall.

Sources told Geo News that Azeem Farooqui and Sufian Yousuf were released after a brief interrogation. However, Qamar Mansoor and Rabita Committee’s newly appointed in-charge Kaiful Wara have been taken to an undisclosed location for further interrogation.

Eight Rangers vehicles took part in the operation.

MQM’s central leader, Wasay Jalil confirmed the arrest and criticized the raids legality arguing that it had been carried out without a warrant.

According to a news report, as many as 80 vehicles arrived at MQM headquarters.

Earlier, MQM leaders including Qamar Mansoor, Sufian Yousuf, Azeem Farooqui and Rabita Committee in-charge Kaiful Wara were arrested during a raid by the Sindh Rangers at the MQM headquarters ‘Nine-Zero’.

MQM member Farooq Sattar was also taken into custody by Rangers during a live press conference at press club, Karachi.

Video clip from the moment outside Karachi Press Club shows the MQM senior leader Sattar asking the official for two minutes, but the Rangers official insists and takes him away.

Farooq Sattar went to press club for a press conference after MQM party’s workers turned to violence after being told by their party chief to surround the offices of Geo News, Samaa and ARY.

Sindh Rangers’ spokesman confirmed that MQM leaders Farooq Sattar and Khawaja Izharul Hassan have been taken into custody.