Mir Raza Ali death case: ‘Suspicious motorcyclists’ emerge as new lead in probe

• Investigators “examine possibility” Raza was shot from behind.
• Police “recover” Raza’s phone and pistol holster near crime scene.
• Missing “30-bore pistol” remains central focus of probe: sources.
  

KARACHI: Investigators probing the death of young businessman Mir Raza Ali have identified the presence of “suspicious motorcyclists” near the site where his body was found as a new lead, sources told Truth Wireon Monday.

Raza — an IBA graduate — returned home from his shop on the night of July 28 before leaving again, telling his family he would be back within 10 minutes. Police later recovered his body from bushes in Block 1 of Gulistan-e-Jauhar.

The investigative sources said that an initial medical assessment found that Raza sustained a gunshot wound to the chest. Investigators were also examining whether the fatal shot was fired from behind.

Preliminary findings further suggested that Raza had taken a security guard’s weapon before the incident.

The sources said that a nearby nursery worker alerted authorities to the presence of Raza’s body. Investigators have also uncovered reports of suspicious motorcyclists in the vicinity where the body was discovered.

Despite ongoing searches, neither the weapon used in the killing nor a spent bullet casing has been recovered.

Mir Raza had around Rs40,000 with him before his death, although he reportedly left home carrying only about Rs1,000 in cash. He had left behind his smartwatch, wallet and car when he departed.

Investigators were also looking into claims that he owed money to several people.

Furthermore, more than 15 individuals have recorded statements as part of the inquiry.

The sources added that Raza’s medical report is expected later today, while the forensic examination report of his mobile phone is likely to be received within the next one to two days.

Meanwhile, investigators continued to reconstruct Raza’s final hours using CCTV footage and other evidence.

Police believed a recording captured at around 4:38am, showing him walking alone near Gulistan-e-Jauhar Block-1, was the last known footage of the victim before his death.

His mobile phone was recovered about 200 yards from the crime scene along with a pistol holster, both of which were sent for forensic analysis, The News reported.

Earlier, police sources said no firearm licence had been found in Raza’s name.

Investigators believed the missing weapon was a 30-bore pistol, while the fatal bullet that struck him in the chest was also of 30-bore calibre. They added that no spent bullet casings had been recovered from the crime scene.

Meanwhile, Raza’s father alleged that his son was killed as part of a premeditated plan and claimed the family had received threats from an international number after the incident. He urged investigators to identify those responsible and expressed dissatisfaction with the progress of the probe.