2 top Taliban commanders killed in raid in Karachi

Karachi: Two top Pakistani Taliban commanders were today killed during a search operation here by the paramilitary Rangers in areas considered to be the stronghold of militants who have fled the country`s north. Abid Choto, a vice-emir of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan`s Karachi wing, was killed during exchange of fire between the Rangers personnel and the militants in Manghopir area of Karachi, a spokesman for the Rangers said. "He was killed in the Sultanabad area of Manghopir and Rangers personnel had cordoned off the area sealing all entry and exit points of the locality while conducting the search operation," the spokesman said. Another TTP commander was also killed during the operation and he was identified as Fakhruddin Mehsud, sources said. Two Rangers personnel also sustained bullet wounds during the operation. Mangophir is one of those areas in Karachi which is considered to be the strong base of militants who have come to Karachi from the tribal areas after fleeing security forces. Other affected areas include Sultanabad, Pakhtunabad, Kunwari Colony and Pirabad.

The Rangers carried out their operation just a few days after the Pakistan military launched a major offensive in North Waziristan against foreign and local militants. Meanwhile, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah has said if the police and Rangers could not handle the worsening law and order situation in Karachi the army could be deployed.