KARACHI - A leader of banned nationalist party of Balochistan was killed during an encounter while several suspects including militants and gangsters were apprehended during the ongoing targeted raids and operations here on Saturday.
A local leader of banned nationalist party of Balochistan – Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) was killed during an encounter with the police in Shirin Jinnah Colony.
Police said the encounter took place when the Mehmoodabad police conducted a raid on a tip-off about presence of militants at Shirin Jinnah Colony within the jurisdictions of Boat Basin police station. Police said during an exchange of fire, one suspect namely Sheraz was killed. His companions managed to escape under the cover of fire. Mehmoodabad SHO Sarwar Commando said the killed BLA commander was setting the BLA network in Karachi in nexus of the drug and criminal mafias in the city. BLA has even brought huge cache of arms and ammunition to disturb the peace of the city, he added. The officer claimed that anti-aircraft guns were among the weapons recovered from his possession, adding the police had a tip-off about his presence. He said his brother namely Khalid had already been killed by the Rangers during an encounter in Lyari neighbourhood a couple of months ago. Police said Sheraz was also the right hand of notorious BLA leader Amin Pasha who was killed by Frontier Constabulary in Balochistan about a couple of years ago. A case has been registered. Further investigation is underway.
Separately, two suspected members of banned outfit were arrested in injured condition after an exchange of fire with the police in Saeedabad locality of Baldia Town. Police said the encounter took place when the militants were trying to flee after attacking the police. Police retaliated and arrested both the suspects in injured condition. The suspects were later shifted to Civil Hospital. They were identified as Abdullah and Saifullah. Police also claimed to have recovered grenades, detonators and arms from their possession.
Similarly, three alleged gangsters were apprehended during the ongoing targeted raids by the paramilitary force in parts of Lyari including Bihar Colony, Singu Lane and Mira Naka. The suspects belonged to different groups of Lyari gang war. They were involved in various cases of crime. Weapons were also recovered from their possession. They were later shifted to undisclosed location for further questioning.
In another encounter, an extortionist gang was busted after the police arrested a key suspect namely Junaid and his female comrade namely Quratulain alias Phoolan Devi. Police said the gang belonged to the Zahid Shooter Group of Lyari gang war and they were arrested red-handed. They had arrived to collect the extortion money from a trader in Kharadar area. Weapons were also recovered from their possession.
Meanwhile, five more suspects were apprehended during the ongoing targeted raids in different parts of the city including Baloch Colony, Awami Colony and Orangi Town. Police officials said the suspects were involved in various cases of crime including street crimes and extortion activities. Weapons were also recovered from their possession.