Crackdown on crime: Two alleged criminals killed in encounters

Separately, 22 suspects were apprehended by Rangers in SITE.

KARACHI:

Two alleged criminals were killed in separate raids jointly conducted by the police and Rangers in Lyari on Saturday.

The alleged criminals were killed during separate encounters in Phool Patti Lane near Dubai Chowk and Khadda Market. According to police officials, the raids were conducted, on a tip-off, at the gangsters’ hideouts.

In both the incidents, the criminals reportedly attacked the officials with heavy weaponry. In retaliation, the law enforcers fired back and resultantly the two criminals were killed while their companions managed to escape under the cover of fire. The bodies of the deceased were taken to the Civil Hospital where they were identified as 30-year-old Abdul Jabbar Baloch and 32-year-old Mama Nazar Baloch.

Police officials claimed that the deceased gangsters were associated with the Baba Ladla’s group  and were wanted by the police in around 20 cases of crime, including target killings, extortion, kidnapping for ransom and attacks on law enforcers. Weapons and hand grenades were also recovered from their possession. The cases were registered while further investigation was underway.



Separately, around 22 suspects, including members of a banned outfit, were apprehended during a search operation in Metroville in SITE. The operation was conducted by Rangers during morning hours when the entire locality was cordoned off. Brigadier Hamid of the Sacchal Wing of the Rangers told the media that it was a targeted operation conducted on intelligence-based information. Among the arrested suspects, six were members of a banned outfit. He vowed to continue the operation against all criminal elements in the city.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 26^th, 2014.