Dhurandhar: Real-life Rehman Dakait killed mother at 15, was Lyari’s ‘king’ at 21, this is what happened after his encounter

The life of Rehman Baloch, also known as Rehman Dakait, a notorious figure in Lyari's criminal underworld, was marked by violence from a young age. According to former Lyari SP Fayyaz Khan, gang rivalries and territorial disputes were common, often leading to bloodshed. One such conflict resulted in the death of Rahman Baloch’s uncle, Taj Mohammad, at the hands of the Baboo Dakait gang.

Dakait's criminal trajectory began early. At 13, he stabbed a man for interfering with his firecrackers. By 15, he had murdered two rival drug dealers following a dispute.

The murder of his mother, Khadija, occurred in their home in 1995, shortly after he escaped police custody. While Dakait claimed he killed her for being a police informant, many believe he suspected her of having a relationship with a member of a rival gang – a plot point also depicted in *Dhurandhar*.

**From Arrest to Power:**

Rehman Dakait's criminal empire expanded rapidly after his escape from custody. He was initially arrested in 1995 on weapons and drug charges, serving two and a half years before escaping while being transported from a Karachi jail to a court appearance. Fleeing to Balochistan, he began building the foundation for his future dominance in Lyari. By 2006, he had accumulated significant influence, wealth, and property, marrying three times and fathering 13 children. Reports suggest he owned properties in Iran, in addition to those in Karachi and Balochistan.

**Lyari's Gang Wars:**

Dakait's ascent to power was characterized by intense violence. His alliance with Haji Lalu in the drugs and gambling trade eventually dissolved, triggering a brutal wave of violence in Lyari that claimed an estimated 3,500 lives. By the early 2000s, Rehman had eliminated much of his opposition, establishing himself as the self-proclaimed 'king' of Lyari.

The Express Tribune reported in 2021 that Rehman was involved in extortion, kidnapping, drug smuggling, and illegal arms sales, paralyzing life in Lyari for nearly a decade as his gang fought with rivals led by Arshad Pappu.

Driven by political aspirations, Dakait formed the Peoples Aman Committee, rebranding himself as Sardar Abdul Rahman Baloch. Lyari, historically a stronghold of the MQM and People's Party, had produced Prime Ministers Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto.

**The Lyari Task Force and Chaudhry Aslam:**

In 2006, the Lyari Task Force was established under Chaudhry Aslam to combat the gangs in Lyari. This role is portrayed by Sanjay Dutt in *Dhurandhar*. Although the Task Force apprehended Rehman Dakait in June 2006, the arrest was never officially recorded. According to a BBC report, Aslam received a phone call from Asif Ali Zardari (later President of Pakistan), instructing him to ensure Dakait's safety and due process. Dakait was then held secretly in police officers' homes but managed to escape.

**The End of Rehman Dakait:**

Despite mounting rivals, Rehman Dakait continued to control Lyari. In 2009, the Lyari Task Force nearly captured him again, tracking his movements through phone data. Police intercepted him near Quetta, where he presented a false ID. Upon being asked to speak to a senior officer, Rehman approached a vehicle and found Chaudhry Aslam. He was immediately taken into custody.

Reports indicate that Dakait offered Aslam a bribe, which was refused. Rehman Dakait and three associates were killed in a police encounter later in 2009. Police stated that he was wanted in connection with over 80 cases, including murder and kidnapping.

Maulana Abdul Majeed Sarbazi, chairman of the People’s Aman Committee, told the Express Tribune that the autopsy reports indicated Rehman was shot at close range, which he argued was inconsistent with a genuine encounter. He expressed sadness that no one intervened during the years-long conflict between the gangs, and questioned the motives behind Dakait's killing.

**Aftermath:**

*Dhurandhar* concludes with Rehman Dakait's death, and *Dhurandhar 2*, scheduled for release next year, will explore the aftermath. Rehman's funeral was reportedly the largest Lyari had ever witnessed. His widow filed a petition in the Sindh High Court, alleging the encounter was staged. The court ordered a police report, but the case remained unresolved. Chaudhry Aslam was killed in a Taliban suicide attack in 2014.