8 terrorists including TTP commander killed in 'encounter' in Karachi

Malir SSP Rao Anwar said the suspected terrorists were planning to carry out a major attack in the metropolis

KARACHI: At least eight terrorists including a commander of the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Gul Zaman, were killed in an ‘encounter’, Malir police claimed on Wednesday.

Malir police headed by SSP Rao Anwar, who remains a controversial figure because of scores of fake encounters’ cases against him, raided the militants’ hideouts in the Bakra Piri area Wednesday morning. The suspected terrorists belonged to different organisations including TTP, Jundullah and Jamatul Ahrar.

The security forces have sped up a countrywide crackdown against the terrorists since the recent deadly attacks in Lahore and Sehwan’s Lal Shahbaz Shrine. So far, around 42 terrorists have been killed – 25 by Pakistan Rangers Sindh and 17 by Malir police.



"We had conducted a raid after getting the tip-off on presence of Taliban's Tank chapter chief Gul Zaman in the area, who was planning to carryout major terror activities in Karachi, particularly targeting the important installations," claimed SSP Anwar.

"We prepared our police team and conducted a raid," he added.

The police officer said his men faced enormous resistance from the militants as they kept retaliating for almost half an hour after which they were killed.

 



Police also claimed that a large cache of arms and ammunition, including an explosives-laden laptop and an explosive vest, were also recovered from the hideout.

SSP Anwar said a teenager suicide bomber was also killed in the encounter and police have yet to identify him.

Following is the timeline of LEA's raids and encounter conducted since last week:

Feb 17 - 11 killed by Rangers in Manghopir

Feb 17 - Seven killed by Rangers on Super Highway

Feb 17 - Nine killed by District Malir police

Feb 20 - Seven killed by Rangers in Shah Latif

Feb 22 - Eight killed by Malir police