KARACHI: Three suspected hitmen, who were affiliated with the Baba Ladla gang and allegedly involved in multiple killings, grenade attacks and drug business in Lyari, were gunned down in an early Thursday morning encounter in the Chakiwara area, police said.

They added that one of the hitmen was a brother-in-law of Noor Mohammed alias Baba Ladla. He was identified as Gul Hasan alias Lal Sain, 30.

Among the other suspects, Shahzad alias Shakar, 25, was said to be behind the recent attack on Football House, where an Iftar party had been organised in honour of Sindh Governor Mohammad Zubair, besides other grenade attacks in Lyari, according to the police.

Officials said that the police acting on a tip-off conducted a targeted raid in the Rangiwara area of Chakiwara at around 4.30am on Thursday. On seeing the raiding team, the suspects resorted to firing and in an ensuing encounter, the three gunmen were killed, said City SSP Adeel Hussain Chandio.

He said the deceased were identified as Gul Hasan alias Lal Sain, 30, Shahzad alias Shakar, 25, and Anas Gul, 25.

The SSP said Gul Hasan was involved in multiple killings, including the recent murder of a local councillor, Mama Umaid, in Lyari. About the other suspect, Shahzad, the officer said that he looked after the drug business of Baba Ladla gang and was the main suspect behind the recent grenade attacks in Lyari.

Anas Gul, too, was involved in targeted killings and other crimes, SSP Chandio said.

Published in Dawn, June 23rd, 2017