Seven al-Qaeda-linked militants killed in raids in Pakistan

KARACHI: At least seven al-Qaeda-linked militants and an official of Pakistan Rangers have been killed during raids in the last two days here, authorities said today.

Two suspected al-Qaeda militants were killed today when the Rangers carried out an operation in Gulshan-e-Iqbal town, according to a statement released by the paramilitary force.

The operation was conducted after intelligence reports emerged that a banned outfit has set up a safe house in the area, the statement said.

The Rangers said when the safe house was raided the militants holed up exchanged heavy fire in which two of them were killed and a Rangers official also died in the gunfire.

The Rangers official killed was Assistant Director of law enforcement agency while one another official sustained injuries.

The Rangers killed five suspected terrorists yesterday in the notorious Mangopir area during the operation.

In the exchange of fire, five militants of a banned al-Qaeda-link outfit were killed, a Rangers official said.

A recent report has said that since September 5, 2013 when the federal government decided to launch the Rangers-led targeted-operation in Karachi with the provincial government's consent, the paramilitary force has conducted some 5,795 operations and apprehended 10,353 suspects that ranged from street criminals to terrorists.