Pakistani forces kill wanted "terrorist commander" in Karachi

Pakistan paramilitary troops killed a wanted "terrorist commander" and his two accomplices in clashes in the country's commercial center of Karachi early Thursday, officials said.

Commander Noor Mohammad alias Baba Ladla and members of his criminal armed gang showed stiff resistance but was killed after 35-minute exchange of firing, a spokesman for the paramilitary force, Rangers, said.

One paramilitary soldier was injured in firing.

"Ladla was a cruel and the most wanted terrorist and was involved in over 74 incidents," the spokesman said in a statement.

Ladla's close associates -- Sikandar alias Sikko and Mohammad Yaseen alias Mama, were also killed in the encounter, he said. Three criminals escaped during the encounter.

The paramilitary troops recovered a huge cache of weapons, including grenades and automatic weaponry from the suspects.

Ladla was running a gang of criminals in Liyari area of Karachi, the capital of southern Sindh province, and was also behind several attacks on police.

Pakistan Rangers conducted a raid on a hideout after information was received that Ladla and his accomplices were in Liyari. The terrorists fired at the raiding party with automatic weapons and also lobbed hand grenades at the security officials.

Officials also released a list that contained details of the incidents he was involved in.

The authorities in Sindh province had announced a reward of one million rupees for those who will share information about Ladla.

source: Xinhua