Interpol issues red notice for Lyari gangster Wasiullah Lakho

KARACHI: Interpol has issued a red notice for fugitive Lyari gangster Wasiullah Lakho, who is wanted by Karachi police and is believed to be hiding abroad, South Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Syed Asad Raza said on Wednesday.

The senior police officer said the notice was issued by the Interpol secretariat in Lyon, France, on the request of Pakistani authorities. A red notice is a request circulated to law enforcement agencies to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action.

According to the notice, seen by Dawn, Lakho is wanted in Karachi in connection with allegations including murder, extortion and assault on police. The notice states that he is wanted for prosecution in more than 60 cases of a heinous nature.

Among the cases cited, Interpol issued the red notice for his arrest in a 2014 case registered at Kalri police station in Karachi under Sections 353, 324 and 34 of the Pakistan Penal Code. These provisions relate to assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharging duty, attempt to murder, and acts done by several persons in furtherance of a common intention.

Details of the 2014 case

As described in the notice, a police party reached Karachi’s Daryabad area after receiving information that Lakho was present there with accomplices linked to the Lyari gang war and intended to commit a heinous crime. Police then cordoned off the area.

The notice says that when the suspects saw the police, Lakho and his accomplices opened fire on law enforcers with the intention to kill them. Police returned fire in self-defence.

Police also started firing in self-defence. Resultantly, one accused person, Abdul Jabbar, fell down … due to a bullet injury while other accused persons succeeded in escaping.

According to the notice, police arrested the injured suspect and recovered a TT pistol and ammunition from his possession. It further states that during interrogation, Abdul Jabbar identified one of the fleeing suspects as Wasiullah Lakho.

The notice says Lakho later absconded to evade arrest. It adds that a competent court had declared him a proclaimed offender and issued a perpetual warrant for his arrest.

Competent court of law has declared him a proclaimed offender and issued a perpetual warrant of arrest for him. The accused is wanted for prosecution

The development marks an international step in efforts to trace and detain the suspect, who is being sought by Karachi police in multiple criminal cases.