Four BLA militants killed in Karachi operation

Militants allegedly affiliated with Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and involved in Lyari gang war

KARACHI: At least four militants affiliated with the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) were killed in a search operation conducted by Karachi Police and Rangers on Saturday in Karachi's Pak Colony area. 

According to initial reports, the militants were affiliated with the outlawed BLA and were also heavily involved in the Lyari gang war as well.

During the operation, the militants resorted to indiscriminate firing on the Rangers. Police and Rangers conducted retaliatory firing during which the four militants were killed.

A huge quantity of  narcotics along with a cache of weapons was also recovered during the operation.

Babul Baloch alias Dada, Sajid, Rafique and Khalid Mandhi hailed from Lyari. Reports suggested that the four militants were involved in target killing, kidnapping, extortion and other criminal activities.

Read: Search operation: Militant killed in encounter, four BLF men held from Hub

Search operations have been widened in the city after the brutal attack on Karachi's Ismaili community on May 13 in which 45 persons were killed.

Read: Top police officials visit site of Safora carnage

Investigations have been under way since the incident and security has been beefed up since.

In a raid carried out late Friday night, three suspected terrorists were killed after an gunfight broke out in Gadap area of Karachi, following a search operation by Rangers.

"Upon seeing Rangers, terrorists resorted to firing. After an intense gun battle, three terrorists were killed," a Rangers spokesperson said, adding that weapons were also recovered.