Rawalpindi: Murder-for-hire plot foiled as police arrest four suspected ‘contract killers’

RAWALPINDI: Police in Rawalpindi have foiled an alleged murder-for-hire plot and arrested four suspected contract killers who had travelled from another province to target a citizen, according to a spokesperson for the Rawalpindi Police.

The suspects were allegedly hired to abduct and kill a resident in exchange for millions of rupees. Police said the gang had agreed to carry out the murder on the spot for Rs2 million, while a separate arrangement worth Rs5 million had been made to abduct the victim and transport him to Haripur before killing him.

The operation began when personnel from Nasirabad Police stopped and searched a suspicious vehicle. During the search, officers recovered weapons and discovered that the vehicle was carrying a fake registration plate.

As investigators expanded the scope of the inquiry, one of the suspects reportedly revealed that he was a member of a contract-killer gang and had arrived in Rawalpindi with three accomplices to carry out a targeted killing.

Police subsequently arrested the three other suspects and seized additional weapons and vehicles allegedly used by the group. Authorities recovered two cars, firearms and Rs400,000 believed to be part of the payment received for the planned crime. Officials added that money transferred to the gang’s bank accounts would be recovered through legal and judicial procedures.

According to police, the suspects have previous criminal records in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including cases related to terrorism, murder, narcotics and illegal weapons.

During interrogation, the gang allegedly disclosed that a man from Haripur had commissioned the killing of a Rawalpindi resident. Police said teams have been formed and legal proceedings initiated to arrest the alleged mastermind behind the plot.

Authorities said efforts were also under way to apprehend other members of the gang and any facilitators involved.