KARACHI: A suspected drug dealer, having links with gangs operating in Lyari, was shot dead in an alleged encounter in Lyari on Friday, police said.

Keamari SSP Arif Aslam Rao said that acting on a tip-off the police, along with officials of an intelligence agency, chased two suspected drug dealers in the Jahanabad area. However, the suspects resorted to indiscriminate firing, resulting in bullet wounds to Constable Naveed Shah.

In retaliatory gunfire by the police, one suspect was killed while his accomplice managed to escape.

The SSP added that the deceased was identified as Zain alias Rehan, who was running a network of drug peddlers in Old Golimar. One pistol and a motorbike, stolen from the Pirabad area, were recovered from his custody.

The police said he was involved in purchasing arms and ammunition through drug money. He also provided financial support to elements of Lyari gang warfare and he also carried out attacks on police and Rangers and his rival gangs, they added.

The SSP said that he was involved in the killing of a policeman and five other persons.

“The killing is a significant breakthrough against activities of narcotic dealers and gang-war elements in Old Golimar,” said the SSP.

Published in Dawn, January 20th, 2024