As many as nine suspected members of banned militant outfit Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) and al-Qaeda were killed in an encounter with police on the outskirts of Karachi on Sunday.
The clash broke out in the Mian Khan Goth area near the National Highway after police received intelligence information about the presence of TTP militants in a hideout.
Earlier this month, police killed seven Taliban insurgents in Sohrab Goth area on the city’s outskirts. This time, the police claimed to have killed militants plotting to conduct terrorist activities during Muharram processions. Over half a dozen militants, including their ring-leader, however, managed to escape during an exchange of fire.
In the encounter that began at around 2pm and lasted for about three hours, an extra contingent of police headed by Malir SSP Rao Anwar claimed to have killed nine militants of the TTP.
“The SSP was himself leading the raid,” DSP Qamar Ahmed told a local newspaper. “The raid turned into a fierce gun battle between the police and militants as the police came under heavy fire during the raid.”
Police officials said later they retaliated with full force. As a result of the onslaught, nine militants were killed. The militants also attacked the police, and lobbed hand grenades during an exchange of fire; however, no official was hurt.
Bodies of the militants were later shifted to the Edhi morgue in Sohrab Goth for identification after medico-legal formalities completed at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre. Police said they were trying to ascertain the identities of the deceased. However, the group’s ring-leader, who escaped the scene, had been identified and police was looking for him.
“Their mastermind has been identified as Irshadullah Waziri, son of Ashrafullah,” said DSP Ahmed. “Waziri is an expert in making vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED).” He is also TTP’s Sindh chapter chief, added Rao.