Karachi: In an hour-long battle between law enforcement agencies and gangsters, three police officers were killed while three criminals were gunned down near a public park on Thursday.
The police raided a slum area adjacent to Safari Park in Gulshane Iqbal town early in the morning based on a tip-off that the gang of Paryal Chandio, a notorious robber, land grabber and drug peddler was hiding in the area.
Hundreds of policemen besieged the area, but the criminals opened fire on the police. In the gunfight that lasted more than six hours, three police officers, including a deputy superintendent of police and two assistance sub-inspectors, were killed.
Three criminals, including the kingpin, were also killed.
The encounter was broadcast live on TV channels showing police firing from behind walls, rocks and armored cars.
Paramilitry rangers were also called in to reinforce the police force that numbered more than 300.
Police said that the gang would commit crimes in rural Sindh province and later take refuge in the sprawling city of Karachi.
The gang was involved in kidnapping for ransom, land-grabbing, and drug-peddling. Some says Chandio, the gang leader, had political patronage, but the police dismiss the allegation.
Imran Shaukat, senior police officer, said: “I am not aware of his political affiliation. Even if he had any political links, for us he was a criminal and we dealt with him the way police deal with criminals.”
Meanwhile, a body was found in Lyari town. The man had been strangulated and shot. Another man was found gunned down near Sher Shah bridge.
