Ten alleged terrorists, a bomb-making factory and a huge cache of weapons was the latest haul of the Rangers in a targeted crackdown in Manghopir on Saturday.
At 5 in the morning, as many as 2,000 paramilitary soldiers, including specially-trained commandos and women wing personnel, cordoned off Sultanabad and Pakhtunabad. With helicopters hovering above and armoured personnel carriers patrolling, the Rangers started a door-to-door operation. No one was allowed to enter or leave the area during the operation that lasted at least four hours.
It was the second phase of the crackdown, which was launched in Kunwari Colony on Friday, on specific information about some wanted terrorists, said the Rangers spokesperson. “We targeted a difficult hilly terrain today,” he said.
As many as 50 suspects were rounded up but most of them were set free after initial interrogation. However, around 10 suspects associated with banned outfits were taken into custody. The paramilitary force also claimed to have unearthed a facility manufacturing improvised explosive devices.
Ball bearings, motorcycle batteries, aluminium powder, ammonium nitrate, nitric acid, concentrated circuits, detonators, mobile phones with SIM cards, weapons and ammunition as well as bomb-making guidelines were found at the factory, the Rangers official claimed. Clues to recent explosions in Karachi have been found and may lead to further crackdowns.
Kamran alias Kallu and Murad Ali Shah, experts in making motorcycle bombs and allegedly associated with the outlawed Lashkar-e-Jhangvi were arrested. Mujahid alias Rana, Gul Zareen, Shahid alias Qari and Gul Jannat allegedly of the Tehreek-e-Taliban’s Qari Shakeel group were also among the detainees, a senior Rangers official told The Express Tribune.
The raid was launched on the information provided by some militants arrested recently from Manghopir by Rangers and police in a joint crackdown, which led to the death of the alleged masterminds of Abbas Town and Orangi Town bomb blasts. The Crime Investigation Department police had also claimed to have seized an explosive-laden vehicle that was to be used to attack Ashura processions. Residents felt, however, that the Rangers operation was just an eyewash as the hardcore terrorists had already escaped before the operation was launched. Against the detention of their loved ones, the residents staged a protest causing a massive traffic jam on the roads leading to Manghopir.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 2nd, 2012.
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Oh there are no talibans in Karachi , All lies by MQM ... wish pakistanis have listened and acted .. tu aj yeh na hota jo ho raha hai