KARACHI- Police claimed to have killed two target killers who were trying to escape after killing two people in Nazimabad locality on Monday.
The alleged target killers, who have yet to be identified, first killed Abid Farooq, 35, at his photostat shop in Urdu Bazaar. The victim’s affiliation with any political or religious organisation was yet to be ascertained.
Gunmen shot him multiple times inside his shop when he returned to his shop after offering the Zuhr prayers. Police said after the killing of Farooq, the suspects escaped towards Nazimabad and opened fire at another man Maulana Zafar Aslam and injured him.
“The police team was returning to the police station from the court when they saw the suspects who, after shooting Maulana Aslam, were trying to flee,” said New Karachi police station SHO Chaudhry Afzal. Police went after them and during an exchange of fire three persons including a cop were wounded. Both the assailants died on the way to hospital.
One police constable Shahzad, a woman Zahida and her son, Wajahat, were also wounded during an exchange of fire. The injured were shifted to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.
Police high ups suspected the culprits were killed in an encounter with the police. They were also likely involved in other cases of targeted killings particularly in Nazimabad and its surrounding areas. The bodies were transported to the morgue for identification after autopsy. The recovered weapons were also sent to forensic laboratory to unearth the use of weapons in other murder cases.
TWO DOZEN SUSPECTS HELD: Police and Rangers claimed to have apprehended over two dozen suspects during the ongoing targeted raids and operations in various areas of the metropolis on Monday.
CID police said two members of the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi were apprehended during a targeted raid in Korangi locality. They were identified as Mushtaq Shah aka Sherazi and Mehboob Alam aka Madni. Two hand grenades and two pistols were also recovered from their possession. They were arrested when anti-sectarian cell of the Crime Investigation Department raided their hideout in Korangi locality.
CID’s ASC In-charge Fayyaz Khan said the accused persons revealed to have killed Hakeem Javed in Sharafi Goth, Riaz Hussain in Shah Faisal Colony, Haji Shah in Shah Latif, Azmat Ali in Shah Faisal Colony, Athar Shah in Shah Latif and custom officer Bhawal Shah and Gallay Shah in Quaidabad area. Khan said the accused persons belonged to the Naeem Bukhari and Dilawar aka Dildar groups of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi.
Moreover, 15 suspects were apprehended during the targeted raids by Rangers in various areas of the City, including Dhobi Ghat, Mujahid Colony, Lasi Goth, Musarat Colony, Natha Khan Goth, Jumma Goth and Kati Pahari areas. Rangers spokesperson claimed that 15 criminals including the members of Lyari gang war and banned outfits were apprehended along with the weapons.
Three suspects were apprehended from Chenasor Goth area of Mehmoodabad. Clifton Division SP Nadeem said the search operation in the area was launched against notorious proclaimed offenders. Three suspects were apprehended along with the weapons and two motorcycles.
Rangers claimed to have arrested five members of international narcotics cartel during a raid conducted on a tip-off in Malir area. Rangers spokesperson claimed that heroin worth millions of dollars in international market, hidden in onion carts, were also recovered. The recovered narcotics was about to be shipped abroad.