KARACHI: At least eight criminals including three militants of Lyari gang war’s Uzair Baloch group were killed in two separate encounters with police today.

According to police sources, after receiving information from secret agency about presence of militants in Machar Colony area of Lyari, police carried out a raid in the area and cordoned off the entry and exit routes during the operation.

During the raid, militants opened firing at police party, in retaliation three suspected militants belonged to Lyari gang war’s Uzair Baloch group were killed on the spot. The militants were involved in different crimes including extortion, target killing and hand grenade attacks. Police personnel remained unhurt in the operation.

Meanwhile, in its drive against kidnappers, Police conducted an operation in Orangi Town area of Karachi, where the kidnappers opened firing, in retaliation five kidnappers were killed on the spot while police rescued a trader Zahid Ali kidnapped on February 28 for ransom.