Karachi Following the death of Pakistan Taliban chief Hakimullah Mehsud in a drone attack in Miranshah, the provincial police chief has ordered increased security measures in Karachi to prevent any retaliatory attack. IGP Shahid Nadeem Baloch held a meeting with senior police officials including the Additional IG Karachi Shahid Hayat Khan on Saturday and directed them to boost security steps for embassies, consulates, government and law enforcement agencies’ offices and other sensitive buildings in the city. The police chief also ordered that the intelligence network be utilised and snap checking increased. A senior officer, requesting anonymity, told The News that the Sindh police had received a letter warning them that the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi were planning to carry out terrorist attacks in Karachi. They also intended to target senior police officials, including a DIG posted at the Central Police Office, besides government officers belonging to the Shia community during Muharram. The official said the terrorists had already monitored the DIG’s movement, the route he usually took to work and the places he visited. After receiving the letter, the security for the DIG and other people on the terrorists’ hit-list has been increased and they have been asked to restrict their movement. There are reports that the Pakistani Taliban have chosen Khan Said alias Sajna, the deputy of slain TTP commander Waliur Rehman, to succeed Hakimullah. When Baitullah Mehsud, Hakimullah’s predecessor, was killed in a drone strike in 2008, the TTP had tried to blow up the Karachi Oil Terminal to avenge his death. But the security guards deployed there had foiled the attack. One of the security guards, Mir Ahmed Khan, was killed in a shoot-out with militants. Later, a CID team under the supervision of SSP Mohammad Aslam Khan had arrested five TTP militants including Maulana Saeed Anwer in Sohrab Goth and seized suicide jackets and 500 kilograms of explosives they were planning to use to attack the oil terminal.
89 suspects rounded up Law enforcers arrested 89 suspects in different parts of the city on Sunday. Rangers arrested 35 suspects in several raids. The Mehmoodabad police arrested Ali Talib Hussain alias Kaala allegedly involved in killing Sunni Tehreek’s Ejaz Qadri. Notorious bandit Malangi was arrested from Landhi. The South District police arrested 28 suspects. The East Range police arrested 24 criminals. Three robbers were also killed in police encounters. The Saudabad police arrested Mohammad Usman Shahjahan during snap checking near Awami Weigh Station, Malir.
