Rangers, police arrest four suspected extortion gang members in joint operation

Pakistan Rangers, Sindh and Special Investigation Unit (SIU) of Karachi Police arrested four suspected members of an extortion ring in Paposh Nagar area during a joint operation. Three suspects were wounded in the shootout and another was arrested without resistance.

According to a spokesperson for Pakistan Rangers Sindh, the operation targeted members of the Samad Kathiawari and Jameel Chhanga gangs. Three wanted suspects were arrested in an injured condition, while the fourth was taken into custody without any resistance. The injured suspects were identified as Zamel Prince, Mohammad Shakir and Barkat Ali Braha. The fourth suspect was identified as Mohammad Zahim. They also confiscated weapons and ammunition.

Suspected of extortion and shooting

A Rangers spokesman said that since October 24, 2026, this is the fourth major joint operation between the Rangers and the SIU police targeting the extortion network in Karachi.

The arrested suspects allegedly supplied business-related information to the Samad Kathiawari and Jameel Chhanga gangs and were involved in several shooting incidents aimed at intimidating traders and business owners who refused to pay extortion money.

According to Rangers, Barkat Ali alias Braha is a habitual offender who has previously been arrested and jailed in multiple cases involving drug trafficking and police encounters. He has reportedly been associated with the Jameel Chhanga gang since 2016 and is believed to be one of its key members. During interrogation, he allegedly revealed that he fired at the sub-structures of Tharoline and Naseem clothing markets in Lasbela on the instructions of Jameel Chhanga. He also admitted to participating in targeted killings of rival gangs during previous gang conflicts. Further investigation of this information is ongoing. Alleged links of arrested suspects to criminal networks

Rangers said Zameer, alias Prince, and Muhammad Shakir were key operatives of Samad Kathiawari and Owais Dada.

Zameer was previously arrested and imprisoned for robbery and illegal weapons. According to investigators, he met Owais Dada, an associate of Samad Katjawari, in jail. After their meeting, he allegedly recruited his associate Shakira to join the extortion racket. The representative added that Ovesdad had secured the weapon used in the crime.

In February 2026, Shakir and his associates allegedly opened fire at a hotel in Paposh Nagar. A case was subsequently registered at the Nazimabad police station on serious charges of extortion.

Rovers said CCTV footage of the incident shows Shakir firing the gun with an accomplice. On September 26, 2026, the suspects also fired at the Amin Towers building under construction in an attempt to extort money.

A fourth suspect is also linked to ransomware networks

According to Rangers, Muhammad Zaheem joined the extortion network through Sadiq, also known as Amar Tamar, a close associate of Samad Katjawari. Zaheem had also previously been jailed for robbery.

Investigations are underway to establish the wider network of the suspects, identify other individuals involved and establish their alleged roles in extortion and violent incidents across Karachi.