Targeted operations: Alleged militants ‘injured’ in police encounter

Authorities suspect TTP commander Abid Mucchar wounded; yet to confirm his death.

KARACHI:

An alleged militant was killed while the chief of a Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) splinter group was reportedly injured in an encounter with the police on Friday in Mianwali Colony.

The police claimed that the encounter took place in Mianwali Colony, Manghopir within the limits of the Pirabad police station. The militants escaped to the colony on their motorcycles when they learnt that the authorities were conducting a targeted operation in the Kati Pahari area. The police and Rangers followed them and proceeded to carry out an operation in Mianwali Colony.

The law enforcers claimed that when they started the operation in the colony, the militants opened fire at them and they had to fire back in retaliation. This resulted in the death of a militant while three others managed to run. The deceased was identified as 26-year-old Muhammad Hussain. The police claim to have recovered a pistol and motorcycle from his possession. The police said that Hussain used to work with the TTP and was a resident of Kunwari Colony.

"One of the three militants who managed to escape was also wounded during an exchange of fire," said Pirabad SHO Fasihuz Zaman while talking to The Express Tribune. "His companions, however, helped him escape. We have received information that the injured might be Abid Mucchar and he might be dead. We are trying to verify this." He added that Mucchar was looked after TTP's interests in Kunwari Colony and their militant wing.

According to Special Investigations Unit Chief SP Farooq Awan, Mucchar was part of the TTP's Waliur Rehman group and was a commander in Kunwari Colony. He has been accused of carrying out several bomb blasts, including attacks on the Muttahida Qaumi Movement and Awami National Party during the elections.

A senior official of the Rangers told The Express Tribune that Mucchar used to deal with all of the group's militants in Karachi. He said that besides carrying out bomb blasts to sabotage the elections, Mucchar was also involved in carrying out a suicide attack on the Rangers in Manghopir last year. The official added that Mucchar was also involved in the attack on inspector Shafiq Tanoli.

"We can confirm that he was injured but are not certain if he has died," said the official. "I don't think the Taliban will confirm or announce his death either because if they do it will affect their network badly." He added that they were using their intelligence network to confirm his death. There were reports that Abbasi Shaheed Hospital was cordoned off by the Rangers after there were unconfirmed reports that Mucchar was taken to the hospital for treatment. The law enforcers, however, did not find him there.

No case was registered till the filing of this report. A further investigation is underway.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 17^th, 2014.