Suspect arrested in Punjab not involved in Karachi knife attacks: DIG EAST

KARACHI: The mystery of a spate of knife attacks on women in Karachi remains unresolved, as one lead after another fails to yield any substantial results.

In his briefing to a Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights on Tuesday, DIG East Sultan Khawaja said the knife attack suspect recently arrested in Punjab, identified as Waseem, was not involved in the attacks.

There is no evidence which suggests that Waseem came to Karachi, Khawaja said.

The police officer told the committee that the suspect, Waseem, used 16 different SIMs and mobile phone sets; however, none of the SIMs were used to make or receive calls from Karachi.

DIG East said 13 of the incidents bore similarities. Since September 25, at least 15 incidents of knife attacks on women by a man riding a motorcycle have been reported in the metropolis, concentrated mainly in Gulistan-e-Johar and Gulshan-e-Iqbal areas.

A total of 38 suspects have been detained in relation to the incidents, Khawaja said.

He added that police have acquired data from three mental institutions so far, and the investigation is ongoing.

Meanwhile, Additional Inspector General (AIG) Mushtaq Ahmed Mahar told the committee that the police is investigating the incidents from several perspectives.

Police claims to nab mastermind of Karachi knife attacks

'Waseem was arrested in a joint operation with the Punjab police,' DIG East Sultan Khowaja said

He said the police is also keeping a watchful eye out for militant wings, as members of militant wings have been arrested for attacks on women in the past.

The suspect, Waseem, was nabbed from Mandi Bahauddin, Punjab, in a joint police operation on Sunday. He was to be shifted to Karachi after the completion of formalities, but legal complications restricted his transfer to Karachi from Gujranwala.

On Monday night another girl was allegedly attacked with a sharp object in Karachi's Azizabad area. 

According to police, the girl was travelling with her brother on a motorcycle when she was attacked with a sharp object on her back.

SSP Central said that only after the medical report is received will it be ascertained what weapon or object was used to attack the victim.

The girl received a wound below her shoulder, the SSP Central added.