The city police Friday claimed to have shot dead a “notorious criminal” who, the law enforcers allege, was involved in Thursday’s Jhat Pat market killings in Lyari.
In a separate statement, Pakistan Rangers also claimed to have killed in Rangiwara two “notorious gangsters” involved in rocket attacks in the Jhat Pat market while one member of Tajoo group, an affiliate of Uzair Jan Baloch gang, was arrested.
While one of those killed was identified by the police as Zohaib, the name of other gangster could not be ascertained. Aged between 25 and 30, Zohaib, was gunned down in an encounter by the Kalakot police at around 1:00 pm.
“He belonged to Baba Ladla (Lyari gang war),” said a police spokesman, adding, “He was allegedly involved in Jhat Pat market attack and several other crimes in the area and beyond.”
With Friday’s deadly encounters, the law enforcers so far appeared to have killed 10 gangsters of Lyari. Since Thursday, the Rangers and police have shot dead Adil alias Badal, Naseeb alias Eppi, Fateh Khan, Adnan Asif, Farman, Saddan, Usman and Haneef in Usmanabad, Rangiwara, Chakiwara, Kalakot and Garden neighbourhoods of the crime-infested locality. Most of them, 8, belong to Baba Ladla group, the officials confirmed.
The police claimed to have recovered from Zohaib’s possession a 9mm pistol with six live rounds. “The encounter took place at Noor Mohammad village, Dhobhi Ghat,” the spokesman said.
The deceased, he said, was involved in more than 50 criminal cases including murder, gang rape, kidnapping, extortion and other heinous crimes. The victims of rape for the fear of consequences used to refrain from reporting, the police spokesman said citing “sources”.
City Police Chief Shahid Hayat, he said, announced a cash reward of Rs 1,00,000 and a commendation certificate (CC1) for the concerned police party.
Meanwhile, a Rangers spokesman said the paramilitary force Friday night conducted targeted raids in Usmanabad and Rangiwara areas of Lyari, Johar Chowrangi, Shanti Nagar, Mehran Town, Ghazi Town, Dawood Chali, Sajjan Goth, SITE, Ilyas Goth, Haji Mureed Goth, C-1 Area of Liaqatabad and Martin Quarters.
“Two notorious gangsters involved in rocket attacks in Jhat Pat Market on Mar 12 wherein 16 innocent persons were killed were arrested in a critical condition from Rangiwara area during a joint operation with the police, who later died during treatment,” the spokesman said.
In a Rangers action in Musa Lane on the hideouts of Lyari gang war elements, one gangster affiliated with Tajoo group was arrested with illegal weapons. During the above-mentioned targeted raids, the Rangers claimed to have arrested 32 criminals.
While they also have recovered 36 weapons of different calibre including SMGs, MP-5, Uni Barrel Rocket Launchers and its ammo, large quantity of magazines, walkie-talkie sets, grenades and rounds of various weapons from the arrestees. In a separate move, the Rangers raided a drug den in Korangi industrial area on a tip-off. During the action a “notorious killer” Nasarullah has been arrested with his three accomplices. “The arrested criminals are involved in numerous murders and drug peddling cases,” the spokesman said.
