The areas worst-affected by the ongoing wave of violence were on Friday night handed over to the Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) to control the law and order situation in the financial hub of Pakistan, while the police officers were instructed to submit records of criminals along with their political affiliations.
Insiders told Pakistan Today that Rangers have been asked to control the law and order situation in Saeedabad, Orangi Town, Kati Pahari, Baldia Town and Qasba Colony among other areas.
After the issuance of orders, the Rangers personnel tried to enter the areas but failed as they faced strong resistance from the criminals especially in the Qasba Colony, Katti Pahari and Orangi Town areas. The law enforcers could not enter the areas until the filing of this report.
Meanwhile, the station house officers of all 114 police stations and in-charges of police check posts have been asked to submit records of criminal elements. Data will be provided to the Home Department and information regarding target killers would be sent to police high-ups, said an SHO on anonymity. “We have been instructed to submit the whole available data, details of criminal records and intelligence information to the Capital City Police Officer’s office,” he added.
The Home Department also asked about the political affiliations of criminals, available with the police data.
Karachi has been in the grip of violence for the past four days resulting in the death of more than 65 citizens.
Earlier speaking at a press conference in the Crisis Management Cell office on Friday, Interior Minister Rehman Malik had conceded the presence of Taliban in Karachi in the worst-affected areas and said that such areas will be handed over to the Rangers.
“Law enforcement agencies are carrying out raids in the violence-hit areas and more than 89 persons have been arrested, out of which 12 are Urdu-speaking, 19 are Pakhtuns and three Baloch.”
Malik claimed that the deceased include very few politically-affiliated workers, adding that the situation will take time to normalise.
The interior minister said the targeted action was launched in Karachi against terrorists involved in the killing of innocent people. “Frontier Constabulary personnel are being deployed in the affected areas of the city while more contingents may be called from other provinces of the country if needed,” he said, reiterating that some areas would be handed over to the Rangers.
The Rangers and police are set go after the terrorists but the media will not be allowed for live coverage. The security officials have been given orders to prevent journalists from entering areas where an operation is taking place. He further urged the media not to exaggerate news and exhibit an understanding of the situation.
Malik had said that terrorists have taken shelter behind children and woman to avoid arrest. The affected areas are very congested and police and Rangers are facing difficulties in taking action against miscreants. Security officials have to ensure that no civilian lives are lost during raids.
He claimed that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement and the Awami National Party have been taken onboard about the action and both parties were providing assistance. “I have asked Altaf Hussain and Asfandyar Wali to request their activists to show restraint.”
The interior minister told journalists that 89 slain citizens were innocent and no one was affiliated with any political party. “There is someone who is trying to destabilise Pakistan and the political parties should realise this.”
Speaking at the Chief Minister’s House, Malik said that under a new strategy, some areas will be handed over to the Rangers while some others to the police. In addition, 250 personnel of the FC have also been called to assist police and Rangers.
“Rangers are an elite force and have produced results in the past. They have been given a ‘free hand’ to conduct operations against the criminals and miscreants who have killed innocent people in the city during the last three days. They have been asked to go for encounters against the miscreants when necessary to stop killing of innocent people in the city.”
He pointed out that the intelligence has been enhanced three times to get authentic information against the miscreants. President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister
Yousuf Raza Gilani have asked him to show zero-tolerance to the miscreants in Karachi and ordered stringent action against criminals.
“We will bring back life and normalcy to Karachi and take the killers to the task,” he vowed. The minister said that Sindh Chief Minister has been busy for the last 24 hours taking actions against the criminals.
Rangers launch operation in violence-hit areas
