Rangers reveal three major countries where funds for Karachi target killers originate

KARACHI – The Sindh Rangers on Wednesday revealed alarming new details about the funding for target killers in Karachi comes from by naming three major countries, South Africa, Thailand and the United Kingdom, where financial assistance for these criminals comes from.

While briefing the Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights, Rangers authorities said that at least 7950 operations had been conducted across the metropolis since September 2013. As a result of these operations, around 6361 suspects were handed over to police and 221 were handed over to FIA and other law enforcement agencies, Rangers said.

The Rangers authorities further said that there was an 80% decline in terror-related incidents in Karachi, a 75% decline in target killings, an 85% reduction in extortion and an 83% reduction in incidents of kidnapping.

They added that more than 1150 suspects were released without registration of the First Information Report (F.I.R), while 1313 suspects were released on bail and 188 were convicted in various cases.

A total of 1236 alleged terrorists, 848 target killers, 403 extortionists and 143 kidnappers were among those arrested during these raids.

Alleged target killers confessed to targeting at least 7224 persons in the city, the paramilitary Rangers stated.

About 1313 operations were conducted against the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), 1035 against Peoples Aman Committee and 28 operations were carried out against the Awami National Party (ANP), Ranger added.

According to statistics compiled by the provincial police, 390 people have died in targeted killings this year so far, of whom 18 were police personnel.