Eight militants belonging to the Ansarul Shariah group, a newly emerged terror outfit, were killed during a raid by the Pakistan Rangers and the Counter Terrorism Department in Karachi, officials have said.
Among those killed in the Thursday night raid was Sheharyar alias Dr Abdullah Hashmi, the head of the militant outfit.
In a press release, Rangers spokesperson said they and the CTD conducted a raid in Raees Goth area of Baldia Town, Karachi, after receiving reports on the presence of Ansarul Shariah militants.
Of the eight, five were killed on the spot, while three others were wounded but died en route to the hospital. The exchange of fire also left one CTD official and two Rangers personnel wounded.
The Ansarul Shariah group has been involved in multiple terrorism incidents in Karachi and Mastung, according to security officials. The group first made headlines in Karachi in April in the targeted killing of a retired army colonel.
Police officials also believe the group is behind several attacks on police officials in Karachi in the past few months and an IED blast targeting security forces in Mastung.
{{/usCountry}}Police officials also believe the group is behind several attacks on police officials in Karachi in the past few months and an IED blast targeting security forces in Mastung.
{{/usCountry}}The crackdown against the group began after the Eid-day attack on Muttahida Qaumi Movement leader Khawaja Izharul Hassan last month.
Police say the outfit initially operated under Islamic State’s umbrella. However, differences led to the parting of the ways. Currently, it is said to be influenced by al-Qaeda’s Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri.