Karachi: At least five members of gangs in Lyari, including four “commanders”, were killed during encounters with law enforcement agencies, a victory for the ongoing operation against militants and criminals.
In the overnight crackdown, police and rangers carried out an eight-hour long siege at the Timber Market near Napier Road and shot down Nadim Japan Wala who was a close accomplice of Baba Ladla, one of the kingpins of two major Lyari gangs.
Japan Wala was allegedly involved in more than 30 murders, police said.
“Besides murders, he was the main accused in the Jhat Pat market bomb attack in which 16 people including 12 women and children were killed,” Seeraz Nazir, a senior police officer, told Gulf News.
The criminal was also wanted for kidnappings, beheadings and amputation of limbs of workers of political parties.
The officer added that he was involved in the murders of policemen and also killed his brother Jahanzeb.
It was a serious blow to the gangs in Lyari, many commented.
Earlier, Paramilitary Rangers and police cordoned off the Gul Mohammad Lane in Lyari and sealed entrances and exits in the area. A fierce exchange of fire took place for hours and reinforcement was called.
Law enforcers took down Faiz Mohammad alias Lala Orangi during the encounter. The government had announced a Rs1 million (Dh36,154) bounty for Orangi as he also allegedly murdered around 60 people.
Orangi was a symbol of terror in Lyari and recently defected from the Uzair Baluch group, the main Lyari gang, and joined Ladal group.
Not far from the Gul Mohammad Lane, rangers also shot down Naeem alias Kalok of the Baba Ladla group.
Police, meanwhile, shot down Younus alias Mari, who was a key criminal in the Uzair Baluch group.
On Friday morning, the Crime Investigation Department of police gunned down Sardar Saqib in Chanesar Goth during a raid. Saqib was involved in the murders of police officials and was wanted in more than 20 cases.
