Two alleged gangsters killed in Lyari

Raids conducted by police after Sunday night's grenade attacks

KARACHI: Two suspected gangsters were killed during search operations in parts of Lyari on Monday.

The encounters took place when the Lyari police were conducting search operations following two grenade attacks on Sunday.

The first encounter took place in Kalri, in which Commander Naqeeb alias Maya, was killed during an exchange of fire. Police officials said the gangster was associated with the Baba Ladla group.

SSP Fida Hussain said that the gangster was involved in over 12 murders, grenade attacks and extortion. In another encounter in Napier area, police claimed to have killed another suspected gangster, later identified as Mustafa. SSP Hussain said that the deceased was a member of the Uzair Baloch gang and was involved in targeted killings and extortion. The police are trying to determine whether the two gangsters were involved in Sunday’s grenade attack.

Sunday's attacks

At least thirteen people were wounded during two consecutive hand grenade attacks in Singu Lane on Sunday.

The injured were taken to Civil Hospital where doctors termed them out of danger.

Residents said the attack was carried out by members of the Baba Ladla group in their rival group's area to create havoc. A similar blast occurred in the Rangi Wara area in which an eight-year-old boy, Aman, was wounded. Residents said the second attack was carried out by Uzair Baloch's group members in retaliation to the attack carried out by Baba Ladla group.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 10^th, 2016.