Shoot-out: Two suspects killed by Rangers

Rangers had conducted a raid, looking for members of a Lyari-based gang

KARACHI: Two suspects allegedly trying to sabotage the upcoming local government elections in the metropolis were killed during an alleged encounter with the paramilitary force on Friday.

The encounter took place when the Rangers conducted an intelligence-driven targeted raid in search of members of a Lyari-based gang involved in numerous cases of target killings, said the Rangers' spokesperson. He added that when the Rangers were approaching the hideout in Lyari, terrorists opened fire and tried to escape. The Rangers fired back and after an intense exchange of fire, two suspects were killed. The bodies were taken to Civil Hospital, Karachi, where they were later identified as Amjad alias Mirchi and Muhammad Iqbal alias Kana.

The Rangers' spokesperson said that both the suspects were involved in numerous cases of murders, extortion and kidnapping. He added that they were affiliated with two different criminal groups, and these sub-groups had joined hands to sabotage the local bodies' elections by carrying out attacks on multiple polling stations simultaneously. Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from their possession.

Separately, Rangers claim to have arrested three suspects during ongoing targeted raids and operations in different parts of the metropolis, including Gulshan-e-Maymar and Shah Faisal Colony. The Rangers' spokesperson said that an alleged terrorist of a banned outfit was also among the suspects arrested. Weapons were also recovered from their possession.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 21^th, 2015.