News
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Karachi violence claims nine more lives
* Three MQM members among those targeted by assailants
By Atif Raza
KARACHI: Nine people, including three political party members, were killed in separate incidents of target killing in the metropolis on Wednesday.
Two armed motorcyclists shot dead 45-year-old Khursheed Iqbal near Millat Garden, Malir, within the jurisdiction of the Saudabad Police Station. SHO Imdad Solangi said the deceased was associated with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), and a former nazim of Union Council-5, Malir.
He said Iqbal was on his motorcycle when the armed assassins targeted him, adding that they shot him at least seven times before fleeing. Tension prevailed in various areas of Malir, including Jinnah Square, Malir-15, Liaquat Market, Khokhrapar, Saudabad, Kala Board and Rafah-e-Aam Society, where routine and commercial activities remained suspended after unidentified men restored to indiscriminate gunfire. Similarly, another MQM activist was gunned down in Saudabad police limits. Thirty-four-year-old Zubair Siddiqui, a resident of Fareed Colony, was killed near Liaquat Market, Malir. Police officials said he was on his motorcycle when the armed motorcyclists targeted him. Imdad Solangi said that the victim was an active worker of MQM’s Unit-99 and a trader by profession. He was shot at least four times.
Another man, associated with the MQM, was shot dead in Durrani Goth, Sector 15-C of Orangi Town, within the jurisdiction of the Pakistan Bazaar Police Station. Police said unidentified motorcyclists targeted Hassnain Malik, 35, while he was taking tea at a restaurant. He was shot four times. Deceased was associated with real estate business.
SHO Sabir Hussain said Zubair had recently joined the MQM after quitting the Pakistan People’s Party. He said Zubair’s son, Altaf Malik, was also killed in the same manner on April 2. Separately, two brothers were shot dead in Gulshan-e-Mazdoor, Baldia, within the precincts of the Saeedabad Police Station.
Unidentified armed motorcyclists targeted Saeed Baloch and Abdul Mujeeb Baloch.
Police said the victims had relocated from Lyari to Mawacch Goth a month ago, and some personal enmity might have caused the incident. Separately, a youngster was shot dead at Mir Alam Road within the limits of Baldia Police Station. His identity is yet to be ascertained.
According to witnesses, unidentified men on two motorcycles pushed the youngster off one of their bikes before shooting him four times. Duty Officer SI Asghar Ali said police also found a loaded pistol lying near the victim’s body, adding that he appeared to be of Baloch descent.
Meanwhile, tension prevailed in PECHS Society, Tariq Road, Tipu Sultan Road, Khalid Bin Waleed Road and Sharah-e-Quaideen areas during the funeral procession of former UC-7 councilor of the MQM, Anwar Alam. He was gunned down near his house on Tuesday evening.
A member of the defunct People’s Aman Committee (PAC) was shot dead at Niazi Chowk within the jurisdiction of Kalri Police Station. Thirty-eight-year-old Aslam Niazi alias Commando was sitting among friends when two armed motorcyclists shot him dead. SHO Safdar Mashwani said that the deceased was also associated with a Lyari-based gang, and was wanted in several cases.
Separately, 42-year-old Sardar Hussain was shot dead near Metro Cinema, Banaras, within the limits of Pirabad Police Station. He was standing at a bus stop when unidentified motorcyclists shot him four times.
In the last incident, unidentified persons killed a rickshaw driver on Burns Road in the limits of Aram Bagh Police Station.
Police said that incident took place near Fresco Chowk, where an unidentified rickshaw driver was injured after being shot in the back. He was rushed to the Civil Hospital, where he succumbed.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk