KARACHI: Two suspected extortionists, said to be linked with the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), were shot dead in an alleged encounter in Sohrab Goth on Friday, police said.

The Special Investigation Unit (SIU) of the police conducted an operation following information about the presence of the suspects near Insaf Medical Centre, Quetta Town, Sohrab Goth. During the ensuing exchange of fire, both suspects were killed.

SIU SSP Dr Samiullah Soomro said the deceased were identified as Sher Khan alias Sohrab and Saeed Mohammed. Both were Afghan nationals, he added.

He said the suspects were affiliated with Afghanistan-based TTP commander Faiz Mohammed alias Faizi.

The officer added that they were wanted in connection with an ongoing investigation into an extortion case registered at Sohrab Goth police station.

On July 5, they allegedly demanded Rs10 million from a doctor, who owns a hospital in the Quetta Town area. The incident was reported to police, and the SIU had launched an investigation.

“The SIU, with the help of technical assistance and human intelligence, identified and traced the wanted suspects,” the SSP said, adding that when an SIU team attempted to arrest them on Friday, they opened fire on the police. The suspects were killed in retaliatory fire.

“The deceased extortionists were in continuous contact with TTP commander Faizi in Afghanistan and were acting on his instructions regarding extortion demands from the hospital owner,” he said.

Published in Dawn, July 18th, 2026