Tit for tat: Rangers swoop down on criminals in aftermath of attack

Four suspects killed in encounter, 46 others, including 20 political activists, rounded up on Saturday

KARACHI:

In the aftermath of the deadly attack on Rangers men, the paramilitary troops sped up their operations against suspected militants in the city. Four suspected militants were killed in a shoot-out while 46 suspects were arrested in various raids on Saturday.

Four Rangers men lost their lives when they came under attack outside a mosque in Ittehad Town during Friday prayers. This caused the paramilitary force to launch an aggressive crackdown against criminals across the city.

In one of the first raids, at least four suspected militants were killed in an alleged encounter in Khairabad, located near Northern Bypass. The suspects have yet to be identified and their bodies have been moved to the Edhi morgue in Sohrab Goth.



The Rangers spokesperson claimed these men were planning to carry out terrorist activities in the city. "They [deceased suspects] were planning to target Rangers and policemen in the city in the near future," said the spokesperson, quoting intelligence information. "They were also reportedly involved in killing members of the security forces and other terrorist activities."

According to the spokesperson, as soon as their men reached Khairabad on a tip-off, the alleged militants opened fire at them. The shoot-out resulted in the death of four suspects while a Rangers trooper was also wounded. The paramilitary force found weapons on the suspects as well.



Separately, the Rangers also carried out a targeted raid at a criminal hideout in Lines Area and arrested at least nine criminals affiliated with a political party, along with weapons.

During raids in Shah Faisal Colony, Muhammadi Colony, Khokhrapar and Safoora Goth areas, 11 more suspected were apprehended. The spokesperson claimed that these men were target killers and were affiliated with a political party.

From Azam Basti and Frontier Colony, the Rangers claimed to have arrested five suspected militants associated with banned outfits.

Over a dozen more suspected were rounded up during raids in Sohrab Goth, Nazimabad, Abul Hassan Isphahani Road, Quaidabad, Daud Chowrangi, Ataur Rehman Goth, New Muzaffarabad Colony and Korangi. The Rangers spokesperson claimed they also seized weapons during the raids at these criminal hideouts. Nine more suspected criminals were claimed to have been arrested along with weapons by the Rangers from Safoora Goth.

Investigations

Meanwhile, the initial forensic report from the attack on Rangers men in Ittehad Town revealed that the same weapon had been used in targeted attacks in the past as well.

The police have registered a case against unidentified persons for attacking and killing the four Rangers men. The case was registered on behalf of Rangers personnel at Ittehad Town police station under sections of murder. The clause of the Anti-Terrorism Act was also included in the FIR.

The investigators have obtained the initial forensic report of the empty shells of the 9mm pistol found at the crime scene. The report suggested that the same weapon was used in nearly half-a-dozen targeted killings, including that of Awami National Party leader Saifullah Khan and policeman Tanvir this year.

"Most probably, it [the attack] was a reaction of the killings of militants by the Rangers and police," said DSP Javed Hussain Shah. The police officials have also decided to conduct geo-fencing and to make the sketches of the culprits with the help of witnesses.

Prize money

Even though there was no major breakthrough in the investigations, the Rangers have announced Rs2.5 million as prize money for any information that leads to the arrest of the culprits. The information can be shared via their helpline, 1101. The Rangers spokesperson promised confidentiality for anyone who approaches them.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 22^nd, 2015.