Notorious gangster of Lyari gang-war Noor Muhammad alias Baba Ladla and his two close associates were killed in a gun-battle with the personnel of Pakistan Rangers (Sindh), here early on Thursday.
"Baba Ladla and his comrades were involved in various heinous crimes and terrorist activities," said a press note issued by the paramilitary force (Pakistan Rangers).
Noor Muhammad known as Baba Ladla was wanted by the police in more than 74 cases. He was operating several torture cells in Lyari, spreading fear and terror among the already terrorised residents of the area. Since 2012, Baba Ladla had a head money of Rs 3 million announced by Sindh government.
The statement said, on a tip-off about the presence of Ladla, the Rangers initiated a targeted operation in Phool Patti Lane area of the crime-prone Lyari Town. The gangsters, upon seeing the troops, resorted to firing and also lobbed hand grenades at the paramilitary personnel.
Finally, Baba Ladla and his two accomplices identified as Sikandar alias Sikko and Mohammad Yaseen alias Mama got killed in the shootout which lasted for about 35 minutes.
The ringleader of the Lyari gang war was once considered a close-aide of Uzair Baloch, the leader of the banned Peoples Amn Committee (PAC), who was already arrested in January 2016. However, Baba Ladla later became the rival of Uzair.
According to the press note: His major crimes included: an attack on a police party in April 2012 killing the head constable Fayyaz and a constable Tufail; killing of Lyari gang war leaders Arshad Pappu, Yasir Arafat and Shera Pathan and desecrating and burning their bodies in collaboration with the Uzair Baloch; murder of five people including a Dalmia resident Haji Aslam and his sons; abduction of three Urdu speaking people and murder of one of them after torture in March 2013.
Similarly, Sikandar alias Sikko, the close aide of Baba Ladla was also wanted by the police in over 15 cases relating to terrorism, the statement said. He was involved in the murder of SHO Fawad Khan in an attack on a police party in April 2012; killing of a head constable in 2012; torture and killing of two people in 2013; unlawful sale, purchase and supply of weapons.
Likewise Mohammad Yaseen alias Mama was involved in several crimes including attacks on police and law enforcement agencies' personnel; kidnappings and killings of members of the Kachhi Rabita Committee (KRC) during their conflict with Lyari gangsters. He was also involved in the drug trafficking in Lyari.
It is also relevant to add here that in August 2015, it was reported that Baba Ladla was killed in an encounter with Iranian border security forces near Pakistan border. However, security officials had denied having any confirmation from Iranian authorities about his death.
"Baba Ladla's killing is a clear lesson to all those youngsters, who are inspired by ringleaders such as Baba Ladla because those who want to enjoy backing or links to crimes cannot escape the grip of law," the statement concluded.
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