PHOTO: AFP
Early on Saturday, two suspected militants were killed during an exchange of fire with the police in Manghopir, said SHO Ghulam Hussain Korai. The encounter took place during a search operation in MPR Colony, where two armed men on a motorcycle tried to escape after lobbing a hand grenade at the police's armoured personnel carrier.
The police followed the suspects and killed the two alleged militants after an exchange of fire. The officer said that the suspects, identified as Zainuddin Mehsud and Murtaza alias Rizwan, were allegedly affiliated with the banned outfit Jundullah. "Murtaza was earlier arrested in 2010 for his involvement in the December 2009 Ashura bombing that killed more than 40 people and wounded several others," said SHO Korai. However, Murtaza and four of his companions managed to escape after six armed men attacked the security personnel in the City Courts with hand grenades in June 2010.
‘Fake’ encounter: Inquiry report corroborates police claim
The four suspects were arrested in January 2010. They were apprehended for their alleged involvement in four cases pertaining to the attacks on Muharram processions in December 2009, including the bomb blast on main Ashura procession. Three of the suspects managed to escape
Afghan Basti raid
Meanwhile, two suspected terrorists were killed during an exchange of fire with the police in Afghan Basti, located near Kashmir Colony. Police officials said that the shoot-out took place when the police, acting on a tip-off of an intelligence agency, conducted a raid at the hideout.
"The terrorists opened fire at the police when they were busy in cordoning off their hideout," said Mehmoodabad SHO Muhammad Sarwar. During the exchange of fire, two militants were wounded. The injured suspects succumbed to their injuries on way to Jinnah hospital.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 20th, 2016.
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