News
Thursday, October 21, 2010
11 more killed in Karachi violence
Govt to impose curfew, launch search operation
* Security forces patrol city, businesses remain closed, public transportation suspended in most areas
* MQM holds one-day mourning over Shershah Market incident
* People of Lyari protest, burn tyres against search operation in their area
By Faraz Khan
KARACHI: Eleven more people were killed in Karachi on Wednesday, raising the death toll of the recent target killings to 87 after five consecutive days of violence. Meanwhile, the Sindh Home Department has decided to launch a search operation while imposing a curfew in at least 25 sensitive areas.
On Wednesday, security forces patrolled the city with businesses closed and public transportation suspended in most areas. Routine life remained paralysed as the MQM announced one-day mourning on the Shershah Market incident. Petrol pumps in most parts of the city remained shut, as aerial firing in different parts of Karachi forced people to stay indoors.
According to reports, the areas where the search operation would be carried out had not been named but sources said Lyari Town, Orangi, Dalmia, PIB Colony, Malir, Landhi, Gulberg, Gadap Town, North Karachi, Nazimabad, Liaquatabad, Pak Colony, Golimar, Baldia and surrounding areas were under consideration. Administrations would impose a curfew in areas where the operation would be carried out. In this regard, a meeting chaired by Sindh Home Secretary Arif Ahmed Khan was held in which senior official of law enforcement agencies were present.
“The operation would be against criminal elements in which de-weaponisation would be part of the operation,” Sindh Special Home Secretary Collin Kamran Dost explained. “At least 105 suspects with 60 weapons have been arrested since October 16, and they are being interrogated.” He, however, ruled out the idea of calling the army to support the civil administration during the operation.
“Imposition of a curfew under the CrPC is an option. If a decision is taken in this regard, it will be done under the Sindh government rule,” Dost added.
Protest: On the other hand, the people of Lyari staged a demonstration and burnt tyres to resist launching of a search operation in the area. They openly declared that they would not allow any operation in their neighbourhood.
Meanwhile, at least 11 more people were killed on Wednesday. Two men were killed when culprits attacked a flood refugee camp in Malir. The assailants fled the scene after taking relief goods with them. A man, Talha Razzak, was shot dead in Al-Falah, body of an MQM worker, Sheikh Arif, was found from the Al-Falah police precincts, while an MQM supporter was killed when unidentified men opened fire on protestors in Saudabad, who were protesting over Arif’s kidnapping.
In another incident, Nazeer Hashim was killed in Baldia. A man Siddique Baloch was killed in Shah Latif police remits. A Baloch man was shot dead in Garden police precincts. The body of a man Iqbal was found from Azizabad police precincts. A father of five children was gunned down in the Sukkhan police precincts. Zar Khan was shot dead in Kalri police limits.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk