https://be4gen.wordpress.com/2013/12/15/3503/
PARENTS SEARCH FOR A MISSING SON IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE…
PARENTS SEARCH FOR A MISSING SON
IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE…
By Ghulam Hasnain – Dawn Friday, July 22, 1994
IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE…
By Ghulam Hasnain – Dawn Friday, July 22, 1994
KARACHI, July 21, somewhere in the sealed record of the Field Intelligence Team – now a defunct wing of the
Military Intelligence – there is a file which can throw light on the events which led to the death of a US base Pakistani youth and subsequent arrest and disappearance of his companion on December 22, 1993.
Military Intelligence – there is a file which can throw light on the events which led to the death of a US base Pakistani youth and subsequent arrest and disappearance of his companion on December 22, 1993.
For a handful of pedestrians passing through Kashmir Road on that fateful Wednesday afternoon, it was a scene right out of western thriller. At least 12 men carrying Kalashnikov rifles and riding two yellow taxis and motorcyclist and his pillion rider.
As the motorcyclist reached near the area office of Karachi Water and Sewerage Board, one of the pursuers opened fire. The pillion rider who received two bullets in the back died on the spot, while the motorcyclist was captured alive.
As the motorcyclist reached near the area office of Karachi Water and Sewerage Board, one of the pursuers opened fire. The pillion rider who received two bullets in the back died on the spot, while the motorcyclist was captured alive.
According to eyewitnesses, the motorcyclist – wearing a black shirt and trouser – was blind folded and taken away by the assailants who identified themselves as personnel of intelligence agency.
A couple of days later, the victim was identified as Mohammad Salim, young US based Pakistani who had reached Karachi only a month prior to the incident, while the other youth was identified as Iqbal Muslim alias Munnoo, 28, of Burns Road.
Mohammad Salim, one of whose brothers is also in the police, was buried quietly in a city graveyard, while his American wife is still unaware about the fate of her husband.
Iqbal Muslim, who was captured alive, is still missing though over months have passed since he was arrested.
Iqbal Muslim, who was captured alive, is still missing though over months have passed since he was arrested.
In the early morning hours of December 23, unidentified plain-clothed men raided a house in Preeedy area and picked up Mohammad Ali alias Kaka , a close friend of Iqbal Muslim. He was blind folded and taken away.
During the same hours, a house in Orangi was raided and Ayub, another friend of Iqbal Muslim, was picked up, blind-folded and taken away.
During the same hours, a house in Orangi was raided and Ayub, another friend of Iqbal Muslim, was picked up, blind-folded and taken away.
According To Mohammad Ali And Ayub Both, Of Whom Were Kept At The Same Place On Their First Night Of Detention, They Talked To Iqbal Muslim, Who Was In The Adjoining Room.
Both The Friends Were Subjected To Thorough Investigation And Were Asked About Their Relationship With Mohammad Salim And Iqbal Muslim. Their Videos Were Made And Photographs Taken.
On the 17 Th day of their captivity, they were told that it was the last day of their life and they will be shot dead. The frightened youth started reciting Kliama. They were made to sit in separate vehicles.
One of the Mohammad Ali brought to an isolated place in Korangi. As he was only wearing trousers and had no shirt, Mohammad Ali was given a jacket by his captors and Rs50 for transportation. He was threatened not to speak to anyone.
Ali spent the entire night hiding in bushes. Finally, at dawn he hired a taxi, went to the nearby house of a friend from where he was brought to his house.
Similarly, Ayub was dropped at an isolated place in Orangi and given Rs50 for transportation and a jacket. He too was warned not to speak to anyone.
According to Mohammad Ali just two days before their release, they heard somebody in adjoining room telling Uqbal Muslim to get ready. “Munoo, wear your shoes. Your SHO has come to pick you up.” This was last they heard about
Iqbal Muslim.
Iqbal Muslim.
Since then he is missing. During the last seven months, his 45 years old mother Shama Feroze and 65 year-old father Muslim Khan, a contractor, have approached all the government agencies but in vain. The family has filed a petition in the high Court where it is still pending.
“I do not know where my son is. I visited everyone where I think can help me. But nobody is willing to help me or tell me where my son is or what has happened to him.” Said his mother.
Ironically, Jam shed Quarters police, in an FIR registered on the same day, did not mention why Mohammad Salim was shot dead. In the FIR investigation sub-Inspector Tausif Ahmed had written that unidentified men killed Mohammad Salim, while he was riding a motor cycle KAZ773. The motorcycle was owned by Iqbal Muslim. There was no mention of any encounter or any suspected captured alive. The case has since been dormant.
A few days after this mysterious encounter at Kashmir Road, some senior police officers of District East had admitted that both the youth had an encounter with FIT people. “They were wanted in cases with car snatching and were being watched for last many days,” remarked a senior police officer.
However, this officer could not say why this fact was not mentioned in the FIR and why unidentified people were blamed for the death of Mohammad Salim.
However, this officer could not say why this fact was not mentioned in the FIR and why unidentified people were blamed for the death of Mohammad Salim.
On the day of encounter, a driver of Edhi Ambulance had seen Iqbal Muslim, at the Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre, being treated for leg injuries. The driver who happens to know the family informed it. According to him
Iqbal Muslim, who was injured when he fell from the motor cycle was accompanied by some plain clothed men.
The search for his son, told Shama Feroze to the FIT Centre where he was told that they do not keep anyone there for more than 2 days.
The search for his son, told Shama Feroze to the FIT Centre where he was told that they do not keep anyone there for more than 2 days.
The mother has been visited to Bilawal House, not once but several times, to get the help of Prime Minister to trace out her son. But all her attempts have proved fruitless.
According to the family, there are at least two polymers who know the fate of their son. One Superintendent of Police Chaudhary Hameed and other DS Mahboob Ali. Both the policemen initially gave the family the impression that their son will soon be released. But after month they started avoiding the family.
A Margalla car and a Suziki Alto vehicle parked at Burns Road and allegedly owned by deceased Mohammad Salim, were unlocked and taken away by the same men who were posing as persons of intelligence agency.
“During the last seven months we do not approach the persecutor because we were told that the excise will harm your son. But it is too much. We want to know the fate of our son. We should know what happened to him,” said Muslim Khan and Shama Feroze”.
“My son was a graduate from Patrick’s College. He was not even supporter of Mohajir Qauami Movement, not a member. He was not involved in any criminal activity. Just a couple of hours before the encounter my son left with his friend to see someone. But he did not return. We need a full-fledged enquiry,” the father demanded.
As the FIT has been wound-up the new corps commander a few months back and its personnel to various army units, its chief Khurshed Afridi could not be contacted for official comments.
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