Four ‘BLA militants’ killed in Pak Colony encounter

Published May 17, 2015
A Rangers official takes away a young man during a search operation in Old Golimar, where four suspected militants were killed in an alleged encounter on Saturday.—Online
A Rangers official takes away a young man during a search operation in Old Golimar, where four suspected militants were killed in an alleged encounter on Saturday.—Online

KARACHI: Rangers on Saturday claimed to have killed four suspected militants of the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) in Pak Colony in a first such action that suggested the presence and operation of Baloch insurgents in Karachi.

A Rangers spokesman said in a statement that the paramilitary troops also arrested six accomplices of the slain militants after an exchange of gunfire that took place near Naik Muhammad Village in Old Golimar.

“Pakistan Rangers, Sindh has conducted an intelligence-driven targeted operation in the Old Golimar area against terrorists of Lyari gang warfare and the banned Balochistan Liberation Army,” said the statement. “The criminal started indiscriminate firing on Rangers troops. Rangers returned fire killing four notorious terrorists of the gang warfare and the BLA besides apprehending six others.”

The dead were identified as Babul Baloch, Chhota Sajid, Rafique and Khalid Mandhi.

The statement said that they along with their aides were involved in “anti-state activities with BLA” and other numerous crimes, including targeted killings, extortion and kidnapping for ransom.

It claimed the seizure of a huge quantity of narcotics and a large number of arms but did not give their details.

The deadly encounter is the first of its kind in recent months where the law enforcement agency faced Baloch militants.

“After the raid, the Rangers have also recovered literature and BLA flags from the hideout and further investigation suggested that the deceased militants were associated with the banned outfit. Initial findings after grilling of the arrested suspects seconded such conclusion,” said a security official, wishing not to be named.

“Further investigation may lead to more facts and details about their [BLA men] network in Karachi and their stronghold pockets in the city. Apparently it seems that these groups are more comfortable with the gangs operating in Lyari. Some killed in the encounter were also involved in different crimes like extortion and targeted killing and also wanted by the police in Lyari.”

A sharp increase has been witnessed in deadly encounters in different city districts in the recent weeks.

According to the recently released figures of the Karachi police, 234 suspects, including terrorists, kidnappers and robbers were killed in encounters during four months (January to April 2015).

Published in Dawn, May 17th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play

Opinion

Editorial

‘Source of terror’
29 Mar, 2024

‘Source of terror’

ALTHOUGH dealing with the presence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan is a major political, security and strategic...
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...