Islamabad gunman Sikander raised funds for banned outfit in Dubai: IG

ISLAMABAD: Inspector General (IG) Police Islamabad, Sikander Hayat has revealed that the Islamabad standoff gunman was affiliated with a banned outfit and was engaged in fund raising for this group in Dubai.

During a news conference, the IG Police said that the Islamabad gunman Sikander was arrested by Dubai police during fund raising in 1998 and was sent to jail for three months. He was held again in 2001 and was deported by UAE authorities; however, he succeeded in getting a new passport by changing his name and appearance. He returned to Pakistan in 2010.

According to IG Police, Sikander also received militant training in 1996 in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. He further said that Sikander wanted to take a hostage at parliament house so his demands could be met, adding that the police was still trying to uncover the hand behind the gunman.

Hayyat added that the presence of the media at the spot prolonged the standoff in the federal capital. “There should be a code of conduct for coverage during such incidents.”

He further said the Islamabad standoff was about to end in 10 to 15 minutes when Zamarud Khan entered the scene without permission from the authorities concerned.