The police operation against alleged criminals in Lyari and adjoining areas continued for the fifth day on Tuesday, with a policeman killed and over 12 people injured during the last 24 hours of crackdown.
According to the details, the action, ordered by President Asif Ali Zardari, was kicked off on Friday evening to eliminate gang members and drug peddlers from the locality considered to be a hub of ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).
The law-enforcement personnel were facing severe resistance in the area, with rocket and hand grenade attacks and pitched battles in streets between police and heavily armed gangsters.
Hundreds of families either fled the battle or remained stranded inside their houses in Lyari, facing food shortage and awaiting government’s relief.
The gun battle continued overnight, leaving a police constable, Muhammad Tufail, dead.
Officials said the cop was killed when miscreants fired five rockets during police advancement in Baghdadi area.
Separately, two people were injured in firing incident at Bhempura area.
Meanwhile, police said, 10 persons sustained injuries when a rocket was fired on a hotel in Napier Road of the city. The injured were shifted to civil hospital for treatment.
Cellular phone service was also jammed in Lyari and neighboring areas during the operation hours late on Monday.
Policeman killed, 12 injured as Lyari operation enters day five
