Police kill mastermind behind attack

16 suspects were also detained by the police.

KARACHI: Law enforcement agencies claimed to have killed the mastermind behind several acts of terrorism which were carried out in Karachi in recent days. The latest of his crimes was the murder of the three police personnel, who were killed in a targeted attack in Manghopir on Tuesday.

At least three police personnel lost their lives and two others, including a cop, were injured in the assault allegedly carried out by militants on Tuesday. The incident occurred when the four policemen were patrolling the area notorious for the presence of militants affiliated with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Subsequently, a large contingent of law enforcers launched a targeted operation in Manghopir and its surrounding areas, having sealed off all entry and exit points.



During the operation, the law enforcers also faced massive resistance as the militants launched multiple offensives at the law enforcers.

In the retaliatory fire by the police, one alleged militant was killed while 16 suspects were arrested. The alleged militant killed during the encounter was later identified as Jamshed.

Police officials claimed that the deceased was a hardcore militant and hailed from Swat. “Jamshed was also wanted by the Pakistan Army in Swat,” Orangi division SP Sajid Sadozai told The Express Tribune. “He was living in Karachi and was working with the TTP’s Fazalullah group.”

The officer said that the police had detained around 16 suspects, 11 of whom were later released.

Police will likely nominate the local or central leadership of the TTP in the FIR.

On the other hand, Pirabad SHO Fasiuz Zaman was suspended by AIGP Ghulam Qadir Thebo while SHO Haq Nawaz Baloch has been given charge of the Pirabad police station.

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