Operation against gangsters: SHO among 11 killed as Lyari battles heat up
At least 11 people, among them two police officials, were killed and scores more were wounded as police fought pitched battles with gangsters in the Lyari town of Karachi on Saturday.
Thirty-six people – including 28 civilians, four policemen and as many gangsters – have been killed since April 2 when the police moved into the infamous neighbourhood to take out gangsters blamed for a bloody gang war in the area.
On Saturday, gangsters lobbed hand grenades and fired rockets at the police and their vehicles who tried to enter the labyrinthine of Lyari’s streets. Over 20 grenades and rockets were fired, most of which missed their targets. At least two houses and a gas pipeline were destroyed.
Tuesday’s fatalities included the station house officer of Civil Line police station, a constable and gangster. The rest were all innocent civilians, mostly passersby.
Several armoured personnel carriers (APCs) have been destroyed in attacks from gangsters since the operation began. Police have got reinforcements from interior of Sindh.
The Express Tribune has learnt that local gangster groups, headed by Arshad Pappu and Ghaffar Zikri, with their 600 armed fighters, is aiding the police action against their rival Baba Ladla Group, or Peoples Amn Committee, which has been banned by the government.
Masked gangsters have been seen roaming with the police on Lyari’s streets where they fought gunbattles with gangsters.
Meanwhile, Uzair Jan Baloch, former chief of Peoples Amn Committee, announced on Saturday that he was quitting the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in protest against the police action.
Anger at the PPP, which considers Lyari a stronghold and has consistently won elections from the area, has been simmering for years.
Finally Uzair Jan, PPP activist Habib Jan Baloch and former PAC leader, Zafar Baloch, announced their departure from the party. Lyari’s residents also burnt PPP flags and accused the party of victimisation.
Provincial police chief Mushtaq Shah said that the operation would continue until all criminals and gangsters were flushed out from Lyari. He added that the police would not allow gangsters to escape from the neighbourhood.
Scores of residents of Lyari, caught up in fighting between police and gangsters, have started shifting to safer places due to food shortages and suspension of gas, electricity and water supplies.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 29th, 2012.
COMMENTS (13)
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@true muslim pakistani since when? and who? and how ? granted you the authority to claim some one is not pure muslim? by the way WHAT exactly your defination is for being a PURE muslim.
I am proud of Police!
Automatic rifles and Gucci hand bags:)
Strict punishment Strict punishment should be given to all Crimnals in the public and the criminals heads/roots are in the Government Top Heads.....And in other profession also... So who will give the punishment and how the punishment will implement?????
That is an interesting picture. A slap in the face of those who say niqab (face-veil) is some sort of a hindrance to being a productive member of society!
@True Muslim Paki: The bias of NFP is known to his readers, except for those who have been assigned the duty of commending every trash he writes. He has unfortunately fallen in a sort of nostalgia where in he considers himself an expert analyst, a student leader and an opinion builder. I was there in the arena when he claims to be in student politics. This is the reason I found so many loop holes in his narrative upon the poltical scene of late eightees where he also talked about late Najeeb of PSF. The only agenda he carries is against modesty and Islam. He is no more a PPP jiala since he only appreciate past events because of his nostalgic approach.
Just hope that Govt. takes firm action this time and with intent to root out gangsters not only from Liyari but all Karachi.
Civilian casualities must be minimized. The gang fight b/w the two groups was allowed to spread and continue since Musharraf's era and now it has taken such a big toll and is virtually out of control. All due to petty vested interests. How can u support criminals and criminal activities in the name of nationalism...???
Can't the policewomen be given some strong textuniformsstrong text?
In any sane country a person with a face covering holding an AK-47 will be considered a potential terrorist.
There's an article of NFP on dawn newspaper which gives an insight on lyari. I suggest paki's to read this before commenting. Though I don't agree with NFP as he always write against IK & he's not a pure Muslim, I agree with his article.
Dear Pakistani....
Have a nice day with your breakfast, Newspaper, Chritisise on Politician, But No Body can talk for peach in Liyari? My dear All Sindhi, Muhajir, Punjabi, Siryaki, Pathan, everyone who living in Sindh, Think about it What should Government Doing with Innocent Peoples of Liyari? I very well know that in Liyari Lost of Gangster, Mafia are living but are you blind that innocent peoples are Die day by day in this operation..... are government trying to Creating Situation of 1992 Operation? Since 1992 Every Urdu Speaking is in mentally Confuse...! Are Govt onceagain doing this act with Liyari Residents? Sham on Us...! Sham on our Sindh Govt, Sham on PPP Minister's and Sham on does Person who just kidding with Innocent Feeling by Statement of Peach.... Please Do some thing...... Request with All Authorities (CJP, President, PM, Army, CM, Media, law in force, INGO's)...