KARACHI - An operative of outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and five gangsters of Lyari were killed in alleged encounters with security forces here on Wednesday.
The encounter, according to police officials, took place near Musharraf Morr of Maripur area.
Police on routine snap-checking tried to intercept three suspects riding a motorcycle. According to SHO Shafiq Tanoli, the armed terrorists opened indiscriminate fire on them. As a result, two policemen Ejaz and Aqeel were wounded. Police retaliated and shot one suspect dead while two of his companions managed to escape from the scene. Tanoli claimed the victim was the member of outlawed TTP. One Kalashnikov and two pistols were also recovered from his possession. The accused were involved in more than 50 cases of target killings, including the targeted killings of 30 policemen. Further investigation was underway.
Residents of Lyari on Wednesday staged protest against the killings of alleged gangsters during separate encounters with the security forces. At least five alleged gangsters were killed on late Tuesday night in parts of Lyari, including Baghdadi, Chakiwara and Kalakot areas.
According to police officials, Noor Baloch, Khalid Baloch and Wajid Baloch were associated with the Uzair Baloch group and Saddam and Mushtaq Baloch were the members of the Baba Ladla gang. The protesters brought the bodies of three of them to the ICI Bridge where they offered their funeral prayers. They shouted slogans in favour of Uzair Baloch and chanted slogans against the Baba Ladla gang and law enforcers. They blamed the law enforcement agencies of conducting one-sided operation in Lyari. They also demanded removal of the Baba Ladla gang from Lyari.
At least five workers of MQM were taken into custody during a targeted raid by the rangers. The apprehended MQM workers, including Faisal Qureshi, Rehan Qureshi, Zahid Chand, Athar Shaikh and Aqeel Ansari were apprehended during a raid at MQM Unit 142 in New Karachi area. Heavy contingent of rangers also cordoned off various link roads leading to the MQM headquarter Nine Zero. The process of snap-checking was continued in Azizabad area since Tuesday night.
On the other side, the SIU Police claimed to have busted a gang of bank robbers in Karachi and arrested four robbers, including their ring leader. The arrests were made by the Special Investigation Unit from SITE Industrial Area. According to SIU chief SP Farooq Awan, the arrested robbers were involved in at least seven bank robberies occurred in different localities, including Defence, New Town, Taimuria and Gizri areas from where they looted around 10 million rupees.