RAWALPINDI, May 29: Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) commander and alleged mastermind of Benazir Bhutto's assassination plot, Baitullah Mehsud, has been placed on top of the list of most wanted terrorists and criminals despite official claim that he was killed in a US missile attack in Waziristan in 2009.
Baitullah is also accused of scores of suicide attacks including the bomb attack on the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad.
Besides, four other active members of TTP are also wanted by the police in connection with the assassination of Ms Bhutto. They are: Abdullah Saddam and Abdul Rehman of Akora Khattak, and Faiz Mohammad and Ikramullah of Waziristan.
A murder case (No 471) dated December 27, 2007, has already been registered with the city police against the five accused.
Each of the individuals placed on the most wanted proclaimed offenders' reward list carries a head money. Though the TTP commander was killed in a US missile attack, the fate of the other proclaimed offenders is still unknown.
A senior police official, when contacted, said though Maitullah had already been declared as a proclaim offender, he would not be considered as dead until his 'death certificate' was produced before the police.
The government had announced a reward of Rs2.4 million for any information leading the police to the capture, alive or dead, of the five most wanted criminals.
The five most wanted criminals involved in heinous crimes like murder, robbery and kidnapping for ransom have been identified by the police as Ibrar Khan of Nowshera, who is wanted by Banni, City and Wah Cantonment police in robbery and kidnapping for ransom cases. The city district police have already announced a reward of Rs400,000 for any information leading to the arrest of the accused.
Israr Khan of Nowshera is also wanted by the Banni and Wah Cantonment police in kidnapping for ransom cases and a reward of Rs200,000 has been announced for his arrest.
Rashid Ulfat, of Islamabad, is wanted for his alleged involvement in five robbery cases in Kotli Sattian. A reward of Rs600,000 has been announced for his arrest.
Shamraiz Akhtar alias Sheryar, a resident of Nilor, Islamabad, is wanted by the police for his role in four robbery cases and he carries a reward of Rs600,000.
Mohammad Sohail, also a resident of Nilor, has been declared as proclaimed offender and wanted in four robbery cases. A reward of Rs600,000 has been announced for his arrest.
Various law enforcement agencies have different individuals on their 'most wanted people's list'.
Sometimes, the offenders on the list of police are placed on the 'alert list' of immigration department to arrest them when they try to leave or arrive in the country.
Dear visitor, the comments section is undergoing an overhaul and will return soon.