KARACHI: At least eight suspected terrorists said to be affiliated with Ansarul Sharia Pakistan (ASP) were killed after a fierce shootout with the Rangers and Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) personnel in Baldia Town of the metropolis on Saturday night, said police Sunday.
Police officials said the paramilitary troops and CTD personnel jointly carried out a targeted raid in Raees Goth of Baldia Town after receiving an intelligence tip-off about presence of ASP militants the area. On seeing the personnel, the terror suspects opened fire at them and tried to escape, they added.
In retaliatory firing, five suspects died on the spot and three others succumbed to their injuries while they were being taken to a hospital, police further said.
The Rangers spokesperson said one of the paramilitary personnel and two CTD personnel were also injured in the gun battle.
Arms, ammunition and explosives have been recovered from the possession of the killed terrorists, he added.
A spokesman for the Rangers said Sheryar alias Dr Abdullah Hashmi, Amer of the Ansarul Sharia group, was mastermind behind several terrorist attacks. Another suspect identified as Arsalan Baig was member of group’s “Target Killing Team”, he said.
The spokesman said the process of identification was still underway and the Rangers would give details at a press briefing.
A day earlier, police claimed to have foiled a major terror plot in the metropolis after recovering explosives and weapons from a vehicle during snap checking.
Police said the explosives were stashed inside a vehicle carrying garments.
Three rockets and five mine bombs were seized during the snap checking at industrial area of New Karachi, SP Shabbir Baloch claimed.
He said that the police were conducting the routine snap checking when it tried to intercept a garments-laden vehicle over suspicion.
The driver did not stop, however, police managed to halt the vehicle after a chase, the cop further claimed.
Two suspected militants affiliated with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were also claimed to have been arrested. The arrested suspects have been identified as Muhammad Sultan and Abdul Rehman alias Shakir who were also booked in a case under Anti-Terrorism sections, police said. NNI