Four more gangsters killed during shootout with the Rangers

Paramilitary force conduct overnight operation in Lyari after Tuesday night attack claimed soldier’s life

KARACHI: As many as four more suspected gangsters were killed during an overnight shootout with the paramilitary troops in Lyari neighbourhood. The operation was conducted following the brazen attack on the Rangers troops late on Tuesday night, claiming the life of a Rangers soldier.

The shootout between the gangsters and paramilitary force took place in Ali Muhammad Mohalla, the stronghold area of Lyari’s notorious gangster Ghaffar Zikri. Rangers troops conducted an overnight operation on Tuesday night. Earlier, late on Tuesday night, one Rangers troop, Fawad Khan, was killed while three others were wounded when the Rangers came under attack in the same area while on routine patrol.

The gangsters attacked the Rangers by lobbing hand grenades at them and firing indiscriminately. The Rangers aretaliated and killed one of the attackers on the spot. They claimed to have also recovered hand grenades and a pistol from the attacker’s possession.

Following the attack, an extra contingent of Rangers reached the site and cordoned off the entire Ali Muhammad Mohalla and its surrounding areas in order to conduct an overnight operation in the area, during which four more gangsters were killed. The bodies were moved to Civil Hospital, Karachi where they were identified as Chakar Ali, Mahar Ali, Amir Ali alias Amir Panday and Amir Ali.



The Rangers spokesperson said that the criminals killed were gangsters and were wanted by the police in various cases of crime.

The funeral prayers of the deceased Rangers soldier were offered at the 61 Abdullah Shah Ghazi Rangers Wing, which were attended by Home Minister Sohail Anwar Siyal, Karachi Corps Commander Lieutenant General Shahid Baig Mirza, Home Secretary Qazi Shahid Pervez, Rangers Director General Major General Muhammad Saeed and a large number of senior Rangers and police officials. His body was later moved to his hometown of Lakki Marwat for the burial process.

After the funeral prayers, Major General Saeed, accompanied by Karachi Additional IG Mushtaq Mahar, visited Ali Muhammad Mohalla where the DG was briefed about the overnight operation. He lauded the efforts of the Rangers troops for conducting a successful operation and also directed the Rangers officials concerned to ensure better arrangements were made for the law and order situation in Lyari. Major General Saeed stressed that the residents of Lyari must cooperate with the Rangers and police for permanent peace in the area and call the Rangers helpline if they found a gangster.

Sources in the area said that the killed gangsters were associated with the Ghaffar Zikri group. They said that Zikri himself attacked the Rangers group, killing one soldier and wounding three others.



The family and the relatives of Chakar Ali, one of the five suspects killed during the alleged encounter in Lyari, claimed that Chakar was a person with disabilities.

One of the relatives who wished not to be named said that Chakar was killed during the exchange of fire when the Rangers came under attack. The relative claimed that Chakar was not linked to the Rangers attack, yet was killed during the exchange of fire.