Encounters and arrests: Woman killed, three others injured in grenade attack

Eight suspected gang members and an alleged militant arrested in separate raids

KARACHI: A woman died while three others were injured in a hand grenade attack in Lyari on Friday.

Around eight suspected gang members and an alleged militant were arrested during separate raids in different parts of the city on Friday.

In Lyari's Ali Muhammad Muhalla, the stronghold of alleged gangster Ghaffar Zikri, two men riding a motorcylcle threw a hand grenade at a house in the area. They managed to escape before the grenade exploded. The deceased woman, identified as 60-year-old Haleema, wife of Sher Muhammad, was taken to Civil Hospital, Karachi, for an autopsy. The injured people, including three-year-old Fatima, daughter of Rashid, were also taken to the same facility.



According to Haleema's relatives, people from the Sheraz Comrade Group - a rival of Ghaffar Zikri's were responsible for the attack. They claimed that the house which was attacked was owned by Police Constable Abdur Raheem who lives in Lyari but was posted to the Hassan Square Police Headquarters. The deceased and injured were relatives of the constable. "They threw a hand grenade at his doorstep," said Abdul Rasheed, Haleema's relative. "This house is owned by a policeman."

As word of the incident spread, residents started to panic. An extra contingent of police and Rangers reached the site to collect evidence.

While talking to The Express Tribune, SSP Sheeraz Nazeer said that it was premature to say what the target was as the investigation was still in its initial stages. He added that gangsters behind the incident had been traced and law enforcers were trying to arrest them. They have yet to register a case.

In an unrelated incident, the Rangers claim to have arrested four alleged gang members during targeted raids in Gulistan Colony, Lyari. The identities of the men or their group affiliations were not disclosed. According to the Rangers spokesperson, the raid was conducted at their hideout and several weapons were seized. They were taken to an undisclosed location for further questioning.

Separately, four other gang members were apprehended from Muhammadi Muhallah in Azizabad. They were identified as Shahzad, Waqar, Akhtar and Sikandar. Two hand grenades and a repeater gun were recovered from their possession. Police officials claimed that the accused were wanted for several extortion cases and further investigation is underway.

In another raid, the police claim to have arrested a suspected member of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. The arrest was made by the Jauharabad police. Police officials claim that the accused was identified as Hameedullah and was arrested along with a hand grenade and a pistol. They added that the accused was from Waziristan and was hiding in the city following the military operation in Waziristan. He was arrested on a tip-off.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 3^rd, 2014.