Arrests and raids: Lyari gang commander gunned down in alleged encounter

KARACHI: The new commander of Uzair Baloch's Lyari-based gang was shot dead in an alleged encounter with law enforcers on Tuesday in Singu Lane, Chakiwara.

Hanif alias DJ alias Disha was recently given the command of Uzair Baloch's gang. His two predecessors — Maab Baloch and Sarwar Baloch alias Sarwar Commando — were killed in a similar manner.

Hanif was the third man appointed by Uzair Baloch to run the gang since he left the country.

Law enforcers claimed the encounter took place during a police raid at Hanif's hideout. The police faced resistance from the gang members. Several gun shots were exchanged between the police and gangsters.

A source claimed that Hanif was killed in the exchange of fire. While talking to The Express Tribune, the source said that Hanif's aides, Saddam Baloch and Sakawat Baloch, were also apprehended by law enforcers during the raid and were taken to an undisclosed location for further questioning.

Residents believe that Saddam and Sakawat have been killed. The police, however, denied these claims.

Chakiwara SHO Safdar Mashwani confirmed that Hanif had been killed but did not confirm any other deaths or arrests.

"People are liars," said the SHO. "We conducted an operation and only killed Hanif alias DJ. No one else was killed or apprehended." He added that Hanif had managed to escape in previous raids but had not been lucky this time.

A large cache of weapons and hand grenades were also recovered during a search operation in Singu Lane and its surrounding areas.

According to the police, Hanif was wanted in more than 65 cases. He took over Uzair Baloch's gang when Maab was killed by law enforcers earlier this year. Maab used to be Uzair Baloch's right hand man and was leading the gang in his absence. He was killed along with two of his men — Abid Golden and Hassan — in Kalakot on January 25.

Before Maab, Sarwar was running the gang but was killed by the Rangers in Kalakot on October 30, 2014.

A source close to the gang said they have not decided who will lead the gang now. "These men were recommended by Uzair Baloch himself," said the source. "Since he is in prison in another country, who will select our new commander?"

The police said that there was no one to take control of the gang now. "I do not think anyone will take up the mantle now," said DSP Anwar Ali Shah. "But if someone does, he will be killed in the same way."

Three suspects killed

Meanwhile, three suspected criminals were killed in separate encounters. In Nazimabad, a suspected robber identified as Nasarullah, 30, was killed while his accomplice, Akbar, was arrested after an exchange of fire with the police. They were mugging the son of Shia cleric Allama Mirza Yousuf.

An alleged drug dealer was shot dead in a raid conducted by the police in Pak Colony. The body was taken to Edhi morgue for identification.

A suspect identified as Najeeb, 30, was killed while he was mugging a pedestrian in PIB Colony.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 8^th, 2015.