According to police sources, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Qasim Ghauri and two assistant sub-inspectors were martyred when an encounter took place in Gulshan-e-Iqbal area near Safari Park. Two other policemen were also injured during the action.

The injured policemen were shifted to the hospital for treatment.

The sources informed that at least 300 policemen are taking part in the operation against accused who are hiding in the adjoining suburban area of Hussain Hazara and Muhammadi Goth.

Police have cordoned off the area to search the accused while they have also sought Rangers’ help to take control of the situation.

The shootout was underway until the last reports.

Sindh Police spokesman SSP East Imran Shaukat told that three attackers were also killed during the operation while huge cache of arms and ammunition was also seized from their possession.

Speaking to media, SSP East further told that a gang of dacoits was engaging the police in the armed clash and they were not ready to surrender.

He said that no armed men had fled the area so far. “Three policemen including a DSP have been martyred,” the officer said. He claimed that a notorious dacoit Paryal Chandio was also among the suspects, who he said took shelter in Karachi after committing crimes in interior Sindh.

“No arrest has been made yet, we have surrounded them and will continue fighting until they surrender,” the spokesman added.