Suspect linked to gang commander Abdul Samad for six years: Rangers say accused helped provide phone numbers of factory owners
Sindh Rangers have arrested an extortionist associated with the Samad Kathiawari group during an operation in New Karachi and recovered a mobile phone from his possession, 24NewsHD TV channel reported on Sunday.
According to the Rangers spokesperson, the detained suspect had been linked for the past six years with Lyari gang war commander Abdul Samad through his front man and used to provide contact numbers of various factory owners to the front man and to Abdul Samad.
The spokesperson said the accused has been identified as Ameer Hamza, son of Hameed Hussain, and the mobile phone recovered from him has been seized as evidence.
The suspect has been associated since 2019 with Abdul Samad’s front man Yousuf, also known as Mota.
The accused revealed that in July 2024, he accompanied Yousuf alias Mota to demand extortion from a builder and that a local resident from Old Lyari had provided a pistol to Yousuf for this purpose.
During the incident, Yousuf remained in constant contact with Commander Abdul Samad via WhatsApp.
Upon reaching a construction site in Kharadar, Yousuf handed an extortion slip to a labourer and told him to deliver it, after which he drew the pistol and shot the labourer in the leg.
According to the Rangers spokesperson, both Yousuf alias Mota, and Ameer Hamza were arrested at the time, but Ameer Hamza was released on bail three months later.
Yousuf then travelled to his native village, Phulji in Dadu, where he stayed for a week.
Rangers officials said raids are continuing to arrest more suspects involved in the extortion network, while the arrested accused have been handed over to the police for further legal action.
Reporter: Usama Malik