Alleged encounters: Two suspected gangsters killed

Law enforcers claim to have arrested 42 alleged criminals.

KARACHI: Two alleged gangsters, identified as Shahzad alias She and Shakir Ali alias Shakir Dada, were killed in an alleged encounter with the law enforcers on Sunday.

According to sources, Shahzad was associated with the Wasiullah Lakho group of Lyari gangsters and Shakir Dada was a close aide to Lyari's notorious gangster, Baba Ladla.

Both suspects had reportedly been detained by law enforcers about two weeks ago and were killed in a fake encounter, said sources. Police officials, however, denied this and maintained that both gangsters were killed in an encounter. "We received a tip-off about the presence of Wasiullah Lakho, a notorious commander of the Baba Ladla group at the premises," said DSP Ghulam Murtaza. "As the Rangers and police reached their hideout in Daryabad, Lyari, the gangsters attacked."

In the retaliatory fire by the police, both Shahzad and Shakir were critically injured while their companions managed to escape. The injured gangsters were shifted to the hospital but they succumbed to their injuries. Police officials claimed to have seized two pistols from their possession, adding that the deceased men were wanted by the police in a number of cases of crime.

At least eight alleged gangsters have so far been killed in encounters with the police and Rangers in Lyari during the ongoing operation.

Separately, an alleged criminal was killed and his companion was arrested after an exchange of fire with the police in SITE. The deceased robber was identified as Adnan and his companion as Amanullah. According to SHO Aslam Rajput, the encounter occurred when the police reached the industrial area following information about the presence of a group of criminals comprising of six members. "This group of criminals has also been involved in the targeted killings of police officials," said the officer. "They were present in the industrial area with the intension to attack and kill police officials when we intercepted them."

Over 42 alleged criminals including eight illegal immigrants were apprehended in targeted raids.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 7^th, 2013.