In action: Two ‘Lyari gang war’ suspects killed in encounter

Law enforcers arrested 31 suspects in separate encounters and raids in the city.

KARACHI: Two suspects in the Lyari gang war were killed in an alleged encounter with the police while 31 others, including members of banned outfits, were apprehended during separate encounters and raids in the city on Tuesday. 

Moin Bengali and Sohail aka Sohail Shooter were killed during an encounter in Old City area within the limits of Kharadar police station. Police officials claimed that the armed motorcyclists were intercepted during snap checking but the gangsters opened fire at the police personnel and tried to flee.



In retaliation, the police also fired back and both the motorcyclists were wounded. They were taken to Civil Hospital, Karachi, where they died. SHO Idrees Alam Bangash said they were associated with the Sheraz Comrade group of Lyari gangsters. The official also said that both the deceased persons were involved in a number of cases, including the killing of a policeman, Noman, allegedly killed by Bengali and his associates on January 19 in Arambagh. The police also recovered one hand grenade, two pistols and a motorcycle from their possession.

Separately, two suspects were wounded in an exchange of fire in Gulshan-e-Iqbal within the limits of Aziz Bhatti police station. The injured robbers have yet to be identified.

DSP Nasir Lodhi said that the two suspects riding a motorcycle were looting people exiting a money changer’s shop. He said that police personnel on patrol in the area immediately reached the site and, after an exchange of fire, arrested the suspected robbers an injured condition. They were moved to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre under police custody.

Meanwhile, Rangers conducted targeted raids in Wazir Goth, 100-Quarters in Korangi locality, Shah Faisal Colony, Bilal Colony, Bhittaiabad, Nishterabad, Gulshan-e-Ghazi, Mujahid Colony, Orangi and Lyari. According to a spokesperson for Rangers, 29 criminals, including Lyari gang war elements, criminals affiliated with political groups and members of banned outfits involved in heinous crimes, were arrested while 40 weapons, including sub-machine guns, uni-barrel rocket launchers, G-3 rifle, hand grenades and mixed ammunitions were also recovered.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 29^th, 2014.