Karachi airport attack: Criminal history of two arrested suspects revealed

KARACHI: Police have obtained the criminal records of two suspects arrested following an attack near Karachi Airport that left one policeman martyred and another injured, according to police sources.

The arrested suspects have been identified as Azeemullah and Tahir. Police said Azeemullah was arrested without sustaining injuries and has several cases registered against him at different police stations, including cases involving alleged encounters with police, attempted murder and robbery.

Tahir, who was injured during the incident, also has multiple cases registered against him, police sources said.

Meanwhile, a third suspect, identified as Qaiser, managed to escape in a rickshaw and remains at large. Police have formed teams to trace and arrest him.

According to police sources, the suspects were travelling on a motorcycle and in a rickshaw when they stopped near the airport to use Google Maps and determine their destination.

Qaiser, described by police as the main suspect, was reportedly sitting in the rickshaw with a concealed pistol.

Patrolling police officers approached the group and began questioning them. Police said Qaiser then pulled out the pistol and opened fire.

Tahir, who was travelling on the motorcycle, allegedly took the injured policeman’s pistol before fleeing with Azeemullah.

The suspects were later intercepted on Rashid Minhas Road within the jurisdiction of Gulshan police station after police found their movements suspicious. Tahir allegedly opened fire again, injuring another police officer.

Police pursued the suspects and arrested Azeemullah and Tahir following an exchange of fire in Joharabad.

Police sources said the group had allegedly planned to rob a shop near Al-Asif Square in Sohrab Goth.

According to police, the suspects would conceal the pistol inside the rickshaw before carrying out robberies, allegedly allowing the motorcycle riders to pass through police checkpoints without attracting suspicion.