KARACHI, Jan 30 (INP): Rangers on Saturday claimed to have arrested Uzair Baloch, leader of one of the gangs operating in crime-infested Lyari, in a targeted operation near the mega-city.
According to a Rangers spokesperson, Baloch was rounded up early Saturday morning while he was trying to enter the city. Weapons were recovered from his possession.
Uzair was once loyal man of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in Lyari and had close contacts with its leaders and Singh minister, including former home minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza. He took over as leader of Peoples Amn Committee in Aug 2009 when notorious Abdul Rahman Baloch alias Rahman Dakait was killed in an encounter.
The Peoples Amn Committee was presented as a community group by its leaders, but it
was blamed for criminal activities, such as killings, extortion and drugs business. It was banned in October, 2011.
Uzair Baloch’s ties with the PPP started souring after April 2012 when the ‘Lyari operation’ was launched by police. A number of people, including policemen, were killed, but no major arrests were made. The operation was said to be started after Owais Muzaffar, better known as Tappi, a foster brother of PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari, wanted to contest elections from Lyari, but it was refused by Uzair.
The operation was called off after a week and the PPP had to concede to Uzair’s demands regarding candidates from his cadre for 2013 general election.
But later the Sindh government announced bounty on Lyari’s most wanted criminals, including Uzair Baloch, who carried Rs 2 million head money. The head money notification was, however, withdrawn a month before the May 2013 general elections by the PPP-influenced caretaker set-up to appease the Peoples Amn Committee.
Uzair finally escaped abroad in 2013 after the launch of the Rangers operation in the metropolis.
In May 2014, the Sindh government had sent documents to the federal authorities, seeking the issuance of red warrants against both Lyari gangsters Uzair Baloch and Baba Ladla, who had reportedly escaped abroad. The warrants were eventually issued against the two in June.
Uzair Baloch was arrested by the Interpol while he was crossing into the United Arab Emirates from Oman by road in December 2014. Later, a four-member team comprising DSP Zahid Hussain, SP Usman Bajwa, SP Naveed Khawaja and a Rangers official was sent to Abu Dhabi to seek his extradition, but it failed to bring him back.
Balch had reportedly told the Dubai court that he was an Iranian national and would not want to be deported to Pakistan. His claim was rejected after his Iranian passport was found to be forged.
It may be added that several cases are registered against him at police stations in different areas, including Kalakot, Chakiwara, Napier and Baghdadi.One case pertains to the murder of Arshad Pappu and another to keeping weapons and explosives.
A court in 2012 issued arrest warrants for two leaders of Peoples Aman Committee, including Uzair Baloch and an alleged member of Balochistan Liberation Army in illicit weapons cases.
Some suspects were reportedly arrested by police with explosive material and weapons were found in their possessions. They were allegedly involved in supplying arms and ammunition to criminals associated with the Lyari gang warfare. Uzair Baloch had been declared a proclaimed offender in the case.
