Targeted operation in Karachi on cards

* Operation to be conducted in 120 localities

* Rangers, police and commandos to conduct door-to-door search to root out culprits

* Coalition partners taken on board

By Atif Raza

KARACHI: Following the recent spree of target killings, which claimed more than 30 lives, the Sindh government decided on Monday to launch a selective operation in some 120 localities to maintain peace in the city before local election.

According to sources, this selective operation, which would be targeted against the criminals, is aimed at stopping the unabated target killing incidents and armed clashes between land mafias.

They said the Sindh government, after successful negotiations with its coalition partners, has decided to start the operation.

The government has planned to engage Rangers, special force, police, ladies personnel and commandos for door-to-door search operation to root out the culprits in the most affected areas, the sources said. Moreover, they said that law enforcement agencies have made a list of most affected areas of the city and selected 120 localities for the launch of first phase of operation.

“The delay in the operation is caused by the reservations showed by coalition partners, who opposed the action against a certain community or political group. However, efforts to address such concerns are being made,” the sources said.

They further said the law enforcers had also gathered facts about the affected areas, where different parties enjoyed political influence.

Earlier, partial curfew was imposed in parts of the city on Sunday after some five people were killed in a fresh wave of political violence. The Sindh government deployed commandos having the backing of helicopters to conduct raids in troubled areas.

Neither political dialogue nor security agencies’ efforts have been able to check the growing menace of target killings in the city, where the death toll in four consecutive days of violence has risen to 29.

The Sindh Home Department confirmed 23 killings.

According to reports, five people, including two MQM workers, were gunned down on Sunday while an ANP activist, who sustained bullet wounds in Al-Falah area on Saturday, also succumbed to his injuries.

The MQM workers, Kashif and Jaffer, were shot by unidentified motorcyclists in Chona Bhatti area in the limits of Risala Police Station. They sustained multiple bullet injuries and were taken to the Civil Hospital, where doctors pronounced them dead.

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