Karachi: Two suspected extortionists killed in Ittehad Town shootout

KARACHI, August 12: Two suspected extortioners were killed and two others managed to escape following a gun battle with police in the Ittehad Town of Karachi.

According to Keamari police spokesperson, police personnel had been deployed in the area following reports of threats to kill traders who had refused to pay extortion money.

It is stated that the suspects opened fire on the police personnel near Karbala Ground upon sighting the police team. Police, on the other hand, retaliated and killed two of the suspects, while two others managed to escape through firing.

The dead persons were first identified as Muhammad Idrees, son of Raja Sheeraz and later as Shahabuddin Ghori, son of Muhammad Ayub.

The police of Karachi said that the two men were suspected to be connected with a gang which was engaged in extortion of money from traders and shopkeepers in Baldia area. This gang was also suspected of snatching a motorcycle from Gulshan-e-Ghazi while dressed up like police personnel.

Pistols, two mobile phones, three identity cards, and Rs219,000 in cash were seized from the suspects by the police. One of the phones recovered had a WhatsApp account in the name of a foreign number.

Police said cases were registered against the suspects at Ittehad Town and Saeedabad police stations.

According to the criminal record obtained by Karachi police, Muhammad Idrees had 18 serious cases registered against him in Karachi and Punjab, while Shahabuddin Ghori had 21 cases registered against him.

A search operation is underway to arrest the two suspects who escaped from the scene.