Wounded DSP dies months after shootout during Mustafa Amir murder case raid

KARACHI: DSP Ahsan Zulfiqar, who had been critically injured during a raid in connection with the Mustafa Amir murder case, has died after months of battling for his life.

Police said DSP Zulfiqar had been receiving treatment at Liaquat National Hospital following multiple gunshot wounds sustained during the operation at Armaghan Qureshi’s residence. Funeral arrangements will be announced later.

Mustafa Amir, 23, went missing from DHA, Karachi, on January 6, 2023, and his body was recovered 39 days later in Balochistan, confirming he had been murdered. Police and the CPLC had raided Armaghan’s bungalow on February 8, 2025, in an effort to rescue Mustafa. During the four-hour standoff, Armaghan fired at officers, injuring DSP Zulfiqar and Constable Muhammad Iqbal, before being arrested.

Investigations revealed that Mustafa and Armaghan were involved in drug-related activities, particularly in the cannabis trade. Armaghan, a known drug user with prior criminal cases including a 2019 drug importation charge, had a personal dispute with Mustafa. He allegedly lured Mustafa to his bungalow under the pretext of consuming drugs, assaulted him with an iron rod, bound him, and dragged him down the stairs.

Armaghan and his accomplice, Shiraz, then placed Mustafa’s body in a car and set it on fire in Hub. The investigation further uncovered efforts by Armaghan to conceal the crime, including instructing employees to clean bloodstains and seizing Mustafa’s belongings, including his mobile phone.