Two Fitna al-Khawarij operatives were killed in separate joint operations conducted by the Pakistan Rangers and the Counter Terrorism Department in Karachi, following exchanges of fire, ARY News reported on Sunday. The operations mark a continued push against militant networks in the metropolis.
According to ARY News, the two militants were killed in two separate operations carried out in different areas of the city. The first operation was conducted near Jamali Pull, where a federal intelligence agency and a CTD team conducted a raid. An exchange of fire took place during the operation, resulting in the death of one militant.
According to CTD sources, the deceased militant was affiliated with Fitna al-Khawarij and was allegedly involved in the targeted killings of police personnel and attacks on the Rangers. The second operation took place in Gulbai, Sher Shah, where Rangers and CTD personnel conducted a joint operation.
During an exchange of fire, a terrorist allegedly affiliated with Fitna al-Khawarij was killed. The deceased militant was identified as Qari Zia-ur-Rehman, alias Qari Saifullah. Weapons and explosives were also recovered from his possession.
According to a Rangers spokesperson, Qari Zia-ur-Rehman, alias Qari Saifullah, was a resident of Bajaur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He was allegedly wanted in connection with attacks on Pakistan Army and Frontier Corps camps, as well as several other terrorist activities.
The deceased militant had also reportedly served at the hideouts of Fitna al-Khawarij commander Maulvi Faqir Muhammad, who fled to Afghanistan during an army operation in 2012. According to the report, the militant had allegedly been involved in attacks on Pakistani security posts along the Afghan border and had subsequently been working to establish a network in Karachi to carry out attacks on sensitive locations.
The joint operations underline the continued coordination between the Pakistan Rangers and the CTD in tracking down individuals allegedly linked to Fitna al-Khawarij. The recovery of weapons and explosives from the slain militant points to the threat posed by such networks.
Authorities have not released further details about the first operation or the identity of the militant killed near Jamali Pull. Investigations into both incidents are ongoing.
Source: ARY News