Gunned down: Five gangsters shot dead in alleged encounters

Suspected TTP members picked up by Rangers in Metroville.

KARACHI: The police and Rangers claim to have killed five suspected gangsters in three separate encounters during targeted raids and operations in Lyari. A suspected member of a militant outfit was also arrested during a raid in SITE on Sunday.

Two suspected gang members were killed during an alleged encounter with the police in the mill area within the limits of the Kalakot police station. Sources told The Express Tribune that the men were affiliated with the Uzair Baloch group and intended to take over an area run by their rivals, the Baba Ladla gang.

"For the last few days they had been living in the area and evacuating around two dozen houses where they made their 'morchas' to attack the rivalry group," said a resident of the area.

The police, however, said that a group of gangsters associated with the Uzair Baloch group were given the task to capture the area following the recent death of Maab Baloch.

A few hours earlier, two suspected gang members were killed during another alleged encounter in Bihar Colony. They were identified as Sohail alias Khoof and Shaheryar alias Sherry. The spokesperson claimed that the men were associated with the Baba Ladla group of gangsters.

Another gangster was killed during an encounter with law enforcers in Daryabad, Kalri. The body was taken to Civil Hospital, Karachi where he was identified as Arsalan Baloch. Sources said he was associated with the Uzair Baloch group of gangsters.

Separately, the Rangers claim to have apprehended a suspected member of the Tehreek-e-Taliban-Swat during a targeted raid conducted at the militants' hideout in Metroville.

The accused was taken to an undisclosed location for further questioning.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 23^rd, 2015.