Separate encounters : Five suspected militants killed by security forces

Over two dozen suspects have been killed by law enforcers since the beginning of the year.

KARACHI: At least five suspected members of an outlawed militant outfit were killed in two separate alleged encounters with the security forces on Sunday.

The first encounter took place in Chawal Godown area near Super Highway within the limits of Gulshan-e-Maymar police station on the night between Saturday and Saturday. Officials claimed that the encounter took place when the militants attacked a security vehicle near Afghan Basti on the Super Highway.

Fortunately, no security personnel were hurt in the attack. According to a spokesperson, in the retaliatory fire by security personnel, two alleged militants were killed. DSP Shaukat Shahani told The Express Tribune that the police was seeking their families for their identification while their bodies were being kept at the Edhi morgue in Sohrab Goth.

A few hours after the first incident, another alleged encounter between security forces and suspected militants took place in Mohammad Khan Colony in Baldia Town’s Ittehad Town - an area notorious for the presence of militants affiliated with a banned outfit. A spokesperson claimed that the encounter occurred when the personnel started cordoning off the area. “The suspects opened fire at the troops and then fled from the site,” claimed the spokesperson.

“The personnel chased and managed to intercept the suspects at a nearby location where a shootout took place.” The spokesperson added that the suspects also hurled a hand grenade at the troops, as a result of which, one of the personnel was wounded. During the encounter, three alleged militants were killed. The bodies of the deceased were shifted to the Edhi morgue for identification.

Meanwhile, around 21 suspects, including members of banned outfits, were arrested during targeted raids in various parts of the metropolis, including Usmanabad, Bakra Piri, Natha Khan Goth, Kauser Town, Qayyumabad, Hindu Para, Kalri, Baghdadi, Chakiwara and Noor Muhammad Goth. A spokesperson claimed that 54 weapons were also seized during the raids.

The suspects were moved to an undisclosed location for further questioning while their identities were not disclosed.

Over two dozen suspects, including members of an outlawed militant organisation, criminals affiliated with the Lyari gang war and the Pakhtun Student Federation’s president for district West, have been killed over the past two months by law enforcement agencies in various parts of the city.

The encounters largely took place in districts Malir, West and East. On the other hand, the suspects’ families have repeatedly claimed that they were killed in fake encounters.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 17^th, 2014.