KARACHI - Rangers on Sunday apprehended Taliban operatives among 20 suspects in a massive sweep on TTP strongholds in Karachi city, while ongoing violence claimed two more lives.
Officials said 20 suspects including TTP operatives were netted in the raid on TTP strongholds. Over 1,000 law enforcers took part in the four-hour long raid and a Rangers helicopter streaked over Kunwari Colony. A police back-up team was also on hold.
A number of hardcore Taliban militants had earlier been arrested from Kunwari Colony and other areas of Manghopir, including Pakhtunabad, Rasheedabad and Sultanabad. Several bomb-making factories had also been discovered.
This time, the paramilitary force only targeted Kunwari Colony. The operation started at around eight in the morning and lasted till noon. All entry and exit points were sealed off and no one was allowed to move in or out during the operation hours.
Law enforcers carried out a door-to-door search and ended up apprehending 20 Taliban suspects and seizing 29 weapons.
According to Rangers officials, the operation was made on an intelligence report. “We had been tipped-off about arrival of new Taliban operatives in the area,” they said.
They were quite sure that the arrested suspects included at least four hardened militants.
The arrested militants were shifted to an undisclosed location for further questioning.
Meanwhile, a policeman was shot dead in an evening targeted attack in Aram Bagh area. Three others, including an assistant sub-inspector, were also wounded.
Police said unidentified motorcyclists attacked a police party on a routine patrol in near Dow Medical College. Investigation is in progress.
The dead and the wounded were taken to Civil Hospital Karachi. The victim was identified as Noman Ahmed, 26, and the injured as ASI Sohail and two passers-by as Salman and Mureed.
Noman Ahmed was a new recruit and was posted to Aram Bagh Police Station three months ago. No case was registered till the filing of this news item.
At least 19 police personnel have been killed in targeted attacks in 19 days. Last year saw 172 policemen dead in targeted attacks.
Separately, a man was killed in Baldia Town. The victim was identified as Shamshair Khan. Police said unidentified men killed him with a sharp edge weapon and fled. The body was taken to a hospital for autopsy. Police believed the motive behind the killing was a personal dispute. Investigation is underway.