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

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