Targeted operation, raids: TTP affiliate killed in encounter, 94 criminals arrested

KARACHI: An alleged member of the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) was reportedly killed in an encounter between TTP members and the Rangers in Ijtamah Gah Road. It happened at the same place where on October 10 three suicide bombers had died in premature blasts while they were moving towards their target near Orangi Town’s Ijtamah Gah (religious gathering spot). “We had some leads over the case and as we reached the spot, the TTP men opened indiscriminate firing at us,” said a Rangers official. “Thanks to Allah, our men remained safe in the attack, however, our jawans also fired back and one TTP member was wounded, and who later succumbed to his injuries.” A large number of rangers came to the site and conducted the operation, however, most of the culprits had already escaped under the cover of firing. Separately, Rangers claimed that they apprehended 63 alleged criminals including Lyari gangsters and criminals affiliated with political groups. According to a Rangers’ spokesperson, the arrests were made during targeted raids in various parts of the city. The spokesperson said the detained suspects were involved in heinous crimes and had in total yielded 162 weapons of different caliber, including sub machineguns (SMGs), rifles, hand grenades, mixed ammunition and a large quantity of narcotics were also seized from their possession. In another operation in Metroville, the Rangers sealed all entry and exit points were sealed. At least 13 criminals wanted in numerous cases were arrested and more than 125 weapons such as SMGs, rifles, shotguns and a large quantity of mixed ammunitions seized. In another raid, three alleged target killers were apprehended during a targeted raid in block 5 of Gulshan-e-Iqbal. Police sources said the raid was conducted upon information provided by already arrested target killers, Farooq, Salman and Babar. One woman, namely Sonia, was also detained during the raid. One Kalashnikov, two .222 rifles and 9mm pistol were also seized. The detained suspects were wanted to the New Karachi and Surjani police in various cases of crime and were hiding at the residence of a notorious land grabber, Asif Lania. Separately, two political workers Kashif and Faisal Naseer, were apprehended during two separate targeted raids conducted by Rangers and police in Moosa Colony of Gulberg and Shamsi Society of Malir. The suspects were believed to be involved in target killing cases and were shifted to an undisclosed location for further questioning. Meanwhile, District East police claimed that they apprehended 21 suspects including six absconders and found four pistols, one dagger, one stolen truck, a stolen cell phone and drugs.