KARACHI - At least eight militants of a banned outfit, including a local commander, were killed and two policemen wounded here yesterday, in the first encounter after reinstatement of Senior Superintendent of Police Rao Anwar.
The encounter took place when SSP Rao Anwar along with a special police team, on a tip-off, conducted a raid at a hideout of militants near Northern Bypass within the precincts of Manghopir police station. On seeing the raiding team, the militants hurled a hand grenade on the police van and resorted to indiscriminate firing. After receiving information, Manghopir SHO Ghulam Hussain Korai also rushed to the site along with more police personnel.
During the gunfight between police and terrorists, SHO Ghulam Hussain and Constable Muhammad Altaf were wounded. In retaliation, police killed eight militants while their several accomplices managed to escape under the cover of fire.
The police said four of the terrorists killed in the encounter were identified as Ismail Mehsood, Saddam Hussain, Sharifullah and Irfan Munir. The police claimed one of the killed militants was a local commander belonging to Abid Muchar Group of defunct Lashkar-e-Jhangvi that was involved in various incidents of attacks on police, kidnapping for ransom, extortion and others. A large number of weapons and explosive material were recovered from the hideout of the militants.
It is worth mentioning that IGP Ghulam Haider Jamali recently reinstated SSP Rao Anwar and gave him the task to apprehend the suspects involved in killing of police personnel.
Officials said the militants were involved in target killings and attacks on police.
Police stormed into a house in the low-income Manghopir neighbourhood of Karachi and after a gunfight killed eight militants and seized weapons, hand grenades and explosives, senior police official Rao Anwar told AFP. Anwar said that the militants were wanted for several target killings and the murders of police officials in Karachi.
Agencies add: In another development, Frontier Corps on Saturday morning apprehended 18 financiers of terrorists and recovered foreign currency and gold from their possession.
The FC conducted an operation on a tip-off and arrested 18 financiers and supporters of terrorists from Khyber Agency. At least three kilogram of stolen gold, 1,500 grams of silver, American dollars, riyals and dirhams were also recovered from the suspects.
The raid was conducted under National Action Plan. Heavy cache of weapons was also seized during search. An official, seeking anonymity, said that value of foreign currency reaches around Rs 65 million. They have been financing all the terror activities in Fata, KPK and this northern region, the official told.
Arrested suspects have been transferred to an undisclosed place for investigation.
TWO TERRORISTS HELD
IN DI KHAN
At least two suspected terrorists were apprehended while security officers claimed to have recovered huge cache of weapons during a raid in Dera Ismail Khan on Saturday.
Security has been stepped up across the country with the start of holy month of Muharramul Haram, with search operations and raids being conducted in numerous cities to ensure that the days pass off without any mishap.
According to details, two armed bikers fled the scene when police officers tried to stop them at a checkpost near CBRC Canal’s bridge in DI Khan. Security officers chased the motorcyclists and nabbed them from a small village. The detainees were shifted to some undisclosed place for further interrogation.
Separately, police on a tip-off about the presence of outlawed conducted a raid at a house. The personnel of law enforcement agencies confiscated four hand-grenades, two ALG guns and two meters of silicon wires.
Earlier on Friday night, police launched a grand search operation for terrorists and troublemakers in the central and outer areas of Yakatoot, Peshawar.
84 suspected individuals were taken into custody during search operation in almost 250 homes. The alleged suspects caught during the raid were shifted to the Yakatoot Police Station for probe.
Police recovered a Kalashnikov and 4 pistols during the operation. Statements recorded by all arrested suspects are being investigated. Soldiers of Pak Army also participated in the operation along with the police.
The raids were conducted to assure peace and stability during Muharram.
In another development, Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) Malakand on Saturday arrested an alleged terrorist wanted to Swat police said CTD officials.
A search operation was conducted in the area and arrested an alleged terrorist Hakeem Khan son of Habib Khan of Sadar Abad Manglor Swat.
Officials said that the alleged accused Hakeem Khan was involved in attack on the hujra of ANP leader Muzafarul Mulk alias Kakai Khan. The accused has been shifted to unknown location for interrogation.