Six highwaymen killed in Sohrab Goth ‘encounter’

Published August 26, 2014
AMBULANCES are parked in the Sohrab Goth locality where an operation was carried out by police on Monday against a gang of suspected highwaymen, killing six of them in an alleged shootout.—White Star
AMBULANCES are parked in the Sohrab Goth locality where an operation was carried out by police on Monday against a gang of suspected highwaymen, killing six of them in an alleged shootout.—White Star

KARACHI: Six suspects allegedly involved in highway robberies and rape of women passengers were shot dead in an alleged encounter off the Superhighway on Monday, police and hospital officials said.

They added that contingents of police, including some in civilian clothes, stormed a warehouse at the Ganna Mandi in Sohrab Goth at around 2pm. On seeing the policemen, the suspects opened fire in their attempt to escape, which was returned by the police. During the exchange of fire, which continued for around 45 minutes, six suspects were killed, said Sohrab Goth SHO Ismail Lashari.

“We received six men, all brought dead at the mortuary of the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital by the Sohrab Goth police,” said a hospital official. The dead men were aged from 22 to 35 years, added the official. Each of all had sustained six to seven bullet wounds on their bodies.

He said the killed men were allegedly involved in hijacking buses and coaches, looting their passengers and even raping some women victims, including a bride.

They hijacked vehicles on the Superhighway and brought them to the warehouse where they looted cash and jewellery from women passengers. Sometimes they allegedly subjected women to criminal assaults, said the Sohrab Goth official.

He said that around a month back, the suspects hijacked a bus on the Superhighway and allegedly raped two young women hailing from Moro taluka. Later on the two rape victims committed suicide, added the officer.

Ismail Lashari said the killed suspects had also allegedly hijacked a bus carrying members of a wedding party around two and half months back. They snatched gold ornaments from the bride and others and later on they allegedly subjected the bride to criminal assault also.

The Sohrab Goth SHO said the dead men belonged to a gang of highway robbers comprising 16 to 17 members. He said he believed that the ring leader, Landak, might have links with suspected militants in the area, but the killed suspects were mainly involved in robberies and rape.

The police claimed to have seized two Kalashnikov assault rifles, two TT pistols, two repeaters and a hand grenade.

The SHO identified two of the killed men as Khudadad, 30, and Tahir Khan, 30. Later, the other dead men were identified as Wali Mohammed, 32, Mohammed Saleem, 25, Naseebullah, 30, and Abdul Manan, 28.

Published in Dawn, August 26th, 2014

Opinion

Editorial

‘Source of terror’
Updated 29 Mar, 2024

‘Source of terror’

It is clear that going after militant groups inside Afghanistan unilaterally presents its own set of difficulties.
Chipping in
29 Mar, 2024

Chipping in

FEDERAL infrastructure development schemes are located in the provinces. Most such projects — for instance,...
Toxic emitters
29 Mar, 2024

Toxic emitters

IT is concerning to note that dozens of industries have been violating environmental laws in and around Islamabad....
Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...