Summary Rangers and Karachi Police arrested four suspected extortion gang members in Paposh Nagar, while three suspects sustained injuries during an exchange of fire.
KARACHI (Dunya News) - Pakistan Rangers Sindh and the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) of Karachi Police have arrested four suspected members of an extortion network during a joint operation in the Paposh Nagar area. Three suspects were injured in an exchange of fire, while another was arrested without resistance.
According to a spokesperson for Pakistan Rangers Sindh, the operation targeted members of the Samad Kathiawari and Jameel Chhanga gangs. Three wanted suspects were arrested in an injured condition, while the fourth was taken into custody without any resistance.
The injured suspects were identified as Zameer alias Prince, Muhammad Shakir and Barkat Ali alias Braha. The fourth suspect was identified as Muhammad Zaheem. Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from their possession.
Suspects linked to extortion and firing incidents
The Rangers spokesperson said this was the fourth major joint operation conducted by Rangers and SIU Police against extortion networks in Karachi since October 24, 2026.
The arrested suspects allegedly supplied business-related information to the Samad Kathiawari and Jameel Chhanga gangs and were involved in several shooting incidents aimed at intimidating traders and business owners who refused to pay extortion money.
According to Rangers, Barkat Ali alias Braha is a habitual offender who has previously been arrested and jailed in multiple cases involving drug trafficking and police encounters.
He has reportedly been associated with the Jameel Chhanga gang since 2016 and is considered one of its key operatives. During interrogation, he allegedly disclosed that he had opened fire on under-construction buildings in Tharoline and Naseem Cloth Market in Lasbela on Jameel Chhanga's instructions.
He also allegedly admitted to involvement in targeted killings of rival groups during previous gang clashes. Further investigations into these disclosures are underway.
Arrested Suspects' Alleged Links to Criminal Networks
Rangers said Zameer alias Prince and Muhammad Shakir were key operatives of Samad Kathiawari and Owais Dada.
Zameer had previously been arrested and imprisoned in robbery and illegal weapons cases. According to investigators, he met Owais Dada, an associate of Samad Kathiawari, while in prison. Following their meeting, he allegedly recruited his accomplice Shakir into extortion activities.
The spokesperson added that Owais Dada allegedly supplied pistols used in the criminal operations.
In February 2026, Shakir and his accomplices allegedly opened fire at a hotel in Paposh Nagar. A case involving serious extortion-related charges was subsequently registered at the Nazimabad Police Station.
Rangers said CCTV footage of the incident showed Shakir firing alongside an accomplice. The suspects also allegedly opened fire on the under-construction Burj-ul-Amin building in Paposh Nagar on September 26, 2026, in an attempt to extort money.
Fourth suspect also linked to extortion network
According to Rangers, Muhammad Zaheem joined the extortion network through Sadiq alias Amar Tamar, a close associate of Samad Kathiawari. Zaheem had also previously been imprisoned in robbery cases.
The investigation is ongoing to determine the suspects' wider network, identify other individuals involved and establish their alleged roles in extortion and violent incidents across Karachi.
